
Class HA 5 2 

Book -SB' 8 

Gopigtit N° 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 



"The only history worth reading is that written at the time 
of which it treats, the history of what was done and seen, heard 
out of the mouths of the men who did and saw." 

— Euskin. 



Stories from Old 
Chronicles 



Chosen and Edited with Brief Introductions 
to the Stories and a General Introduction by 

KATE STEPHENS 

Author of "American Thumb-Prints: Mettle 
of Our Men and Women," *'A Woman's Heart," 
etc., etc. 



NEW YORK 

STURGIS & WALTON 
COMPANY 

1909 



^^ 



IH 



°0 






Copyright, 1909 
By STURGIS & WALTON COMPANY 



Set up and electrotyped. Published September, 190» 



"; . 54S073 
SEP 27 1909 



STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 

(Grouped Chronologically — so far as possible) 

PAQS 

King Lear and his Three Daughters 1 

Boadicea's Fierce Lead of the Britons against the Romans. . 7 

Legends of King Arthur and his Mighty Deeds 18 

Charlemagne and the Battle of Ronceval 35 

Deeds of Alfred the Great 49 

King Canute and the Sea 66 

The Famous Story of King Duncan and King Macbeth 68 

How William the Conqueror won the Battle of Hastings .... 82 

Adventures of Robin Hood 89 

Of Bitter Treatment of the Jews 99 

Tales of the Lion-hearted Richard 110 

A Loyal Man's Memoir of Louis IX of France 136 

What Bonfires meant in the Thirteenth Century 155 

Border Warfare between English and Scots in the Fourteenth 

Century : and how Robert Bruce died 157 

Philippa, a Lady and Queen of England 180 

The Heroism of the Countess of Montford 188 

The Battle of Crecy 197 

The Sacrifice of the Six Honorable Burgesses at the Siege 

of the Town of Calais 213 

The Betrothal of the Earl of Flanders: a Mediaeval Love 

Story 223 

The Pride of the Earl of Pembroke: and how Sir John 

Chandos came to the Earl 's Succor 231 

Gaston, Earl of Foix: how he lived: how he kept Christmas: 

the Feat of Strength of the Bourg of Spain 242 

How Young Gaston, the Earl 's Son, died 250 

The Story of the Lord of Corasse and His Familiar Spirit.. 261 

The Sudden Death of the Earl of Foix 271 



\l 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

The Dance of Wild Men at the French Court: and of Yvain 

- -r, . 280 

of Foix • 

The Story of the People's March to London: and of Wat 

_ , 287 

Tyler 

The Battle of Otterburn: to which is added the Episode of 

Sir Matthew Redman and Sir James Lindsay 314 

How Richard II resigned the English throne: and how he 

,. , odb 

died ' ,,,.„ 

What befell Two Princes in London Tower *oo 



Co tlje IReatier: foouttjg anfc 

2®aibe> anti dSrotomupg : # 

amorD at ti)e Beginning 

WHEN I say, "There is an indefinable at- 
traction in old black-letter chronicles," 
you may ask, "What is a black-letter 
chronicle?" 

Now a chronicle is commonly a simple narra- 
tive about facts and occurrences. Often the old 
chronicles that remain to us from bygone times 
were written by eye-witnesses, or reporters of 
eye-witnesses. And the simple narrative or chron- 
icle is a black-letter chronicle when it is printed 
in Old English letter, a letter introduced into 
England about the middle of the fourteenth cen- 
tury — such type as the heading of this foreword 
to you, at the top of the page, is put in. 

The attraction that we all agree is in the old 
chronicles — that is, their power of drawing you 
toward them — does not come wholly from the 
vivid and picturesque accounts their writers give, 
and the lasting impression these accounts leave 
upon our memory. Nor is it that from their 
pages we glean matter we are not apt to find 
elsewhere. The attraction the chronicles have 
for us, you will see, lies mainly in this: that in 
certain of those old writers we find a signal man- 



viii INTRODUCTION 

ner of their telling a story, a simplicity of spirit 
like that of children, an explicitness in stating 
facts, and a faith that the writers are relating, 
with truth and seriousness, careers of men and 
women about whom it were worth while for later 
comers on the earth to know. 

This matter of their stories, and manner of 
their telling, give to readers a better knowledge, 
as we said, than they are apt to gain elsewhere. 
One's best knowledge of a time is commonly 
gained from writers of that time, and especially 
is this true where the tales are told ingenuously. 

For all these reasons I have taken a part of the 
best things met in old chronicles and put them 
together in this book. I started with Lord Ber- 
ners' translation of Froissart, but soon Holin- 
shed's Historie seemed almost as captivating. 
Later, when I sought other sources, I chose what 
would harmonize with the early spirit of the first 
selection. 

I have made the book for readers of the 
younger years, for youths and maids of the inter- 
ested mind — virginibus puerisque seeking to en- 
large their own life by knowing what others have 
been and have done — for young men and young 
women who would look into earlier centuries and 
see the manner of life and habits of thinking of 
those earlier peoples, and realize the evolution, 
or unfolding, of our life as it is to-day — for you 
who would have some notion how many genera- 
tions of your forefathers have wrought and joyed 
and suffered to make the conditions of life you 
now enjoy. 



INTRODUCTION ix 

Probably, too, these leaves from the record of 
our race will interest older readers — grown-ups 
and people of the older years — who in the rush 
and push of our present-day life and its distrac- 
tions from the old calm, find no opportunity to 
turn to the cumbersome quartos of Berners and 
his brothers— for those who would turn to the old 
tales in loving memory of other readings. 

A goodly number of the most striking and per- 
tinent and complete of the old writers' more 
agreeable stories are between these covers. In 
many instances the tales presented are those 
round which is already builded interest, and about 
which some knowledge is common. 

In another way let us speak of results: If a 
reading of the vivid narratives of this book brings 
to us in an unusual way a sense of the continu- 
ity of race of our English-speaking peoples, 
its Early English writers also bring a sense of the 
continuity and splendor of our English speech— 

"The glory of the English tongue. 
That ample speech! That subtle speech! 
Apt for the need of all and each: 
Strong to endure, yet prompt to bend 
Wherever human feelings tend." 

Just now, when we have a marked return to 
the language standards of the Old Bible, the 
purity and directness of the English of the 
early writers has much of value for us. To 
measure exactly the value one has merely to com- 
pare their pages with almost any book now issu- 
ing from the press. Because of their simplicity 
— their naivete, their elementary human feeling, 



x INTRODUCTION 

their unconsciousness, and sincerity, — in other 
words because of the strength of their language, 
and their nervous grasp at just the right group 
of words, the old chroniclers are more living in 
English speech than many holding the pen to-day. 
Their facts may be now and then at fault, but 
their truth to human nature is commensurate 
with the emphasis of their black-letter English 
and the broad pages of their massive quartos. 

The transcriptions here given, I hasten to add, 
are in many cases not exact copies. I have at 
times transposed phrases, sentences, and indeed 
whole paragraphs and pages. Not only have I 
transposed, I have also cut repetitions, sentences 
and paragraphs, introduced after the manner of 
the old chronicles. All this I did to keep the 
matter to the point, and save from tediousness, 
to keep the different stories to the limits of this 
book, to preserve our present-day sense of mod- 
esty, and in manner to set aside words the use 
of which is lost, and other words still in our 
every-day speech but with a different meaning 
from that of olden time. 

In making my acknowledgments to those who 
have lent a helping hand to the making of this 
book, I am at a loss. If the reader carries a 
grateful heart for its content, he is in like plight. 
For we must not only render thanks to the chron- 
iclers who hundreds of years ago wrote down 
these stories for us; we must also come with 
reverence to the doers of the deeds which the 
chroniclers recorded. Not tens of thousands, but 
hundreds of thousands of men and women and 



INTRODUCTION « 

children are the background of stirring life before 
us here. 

And not only as we read should we in our 
mental picture see the men and women who 
chanced to be at the head of affairs, and therefore 
of importance to the vulgar eye and mind, but 
also countless, unnamed thousands, and especially 
the "common soldier/ ' upon whose loyalty and 
devotion and stout heart, after all, the destiny 
of affairs really hung. If the archers at Crecy 
had been less competently and less completely 
loyal-hearted and stout-hearted men, Froissart 
would never have had opportunity to write the 
great story, given here, of that encounter between 
such men. Every good American, who reverences 
work, honors the worker and esteems no work 
"menial," will regard not alone the name of 
leader and lord which the chroniclers have handed 
down to us, but also those nameless and countless 
hosts— we do have a little hearing of them in the 
"March to London" story— upon whose unre- 
corded labors the chiefs rested and won their 
laurels and their power— the people who in their 
modest laboring made possible the glories of 
deed of the chiefs, and also the glory of the chron- 
iclers, the glory of writing down the deeds. 

For his generous permission to use selections 
from Asser from his Alfred in the Chroniclers, 
I am indebted to Mr. Edward Conybeare of Cam- 
bridge, England. 



King Lear and His Three 
Daughters 

First in this book is the far-famed story of King Lear. It 
is an imperishable story. Whether all that it tells exactly 
happened we do not know. Still it may have its foundation in 
fact. 

The tale is very old— we first find it in an old chronicler, 
Geoffrey of Monmouth, who wrote nearly eight hundred years 
ago: and almost word for word, as we have it here, in the 
Uistorie of England by Kaphaell Holinshed, published in Lon- 
don in the year 1587. The dates of the story however are 
in mythical years before the British history of the modern 
historian begins. 

This tale of Lear and his three daughters is especially dear 
to us later English-speakers because of Shakespeare's great 
tragedy. If you open and read Shakespeare with our version 
before you, you will be interested to note how closely the poet's 
play follows the simple narrative here given from Holinshed. 
In the drama we have the cruelty of the two older daughters, 
and the rapid fall of the king from his royal estate to beggary. 
Shakespeare, as he carries on his drama, designedly moves our 
minds with pity for the king and with indignation at his suffer- 
ings and unjust treatment at the hands of his daughters. But 
the story, as we introduce it here, is told in hearty and simple 
fashion by a chronicler of Queen Elizabeth's and Shakespeare's 
day. 

KING LEAR 

LEAR, the son of Baldred, was admitted to 
rule over the Britons in the year of the 
world 3105,* at which time Joas reigned 
over Juda. 

This Lear was a prince of right noble de- 
meanor, governing his land and subjects in great 

*846 B.C. These dates are legendary. 
1 I 



2 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

wealth. It is written that he had three daughters 
whose names were Groneril, Began, and Cordelia, 
which daughters he greatly loved, but specially 
Cordelia, the youngest, far above the two elder. 
When this Lear, therefore, was come to great 
years, and began to wear unwieldy through age, 
he thought to understand the affections of his 
daughters towards him, and prefer her whom he 
best loved, to the succession over the kingdom. 

"Whereupon he first asked Goneril, the eldest, 
how well she loved him. She, calling her gods to 
record, protested that she loved him more than 
her own life, which by right and reason should be 
most dear unto her. With which answer, being 
well pleased, the father turned to the second, 
Began, and demanded of her how well she loved 
him. She answered, confirming her sayings with 
great oaths, that she loved him more than tongue 
could express, and far above all other creatures 
of the world. 

Then called he his youngest daughter, Cor- 
delia, before him, and asked of her what account 
she made of him. Unto whom she made this 
answer as followeth: "Knowing the great love 
and fatherly zeal that you have always borne 
towards me, for which I may not answer you 
otherwke than I think, and as my conscience 
leadeth me, I protest unto you that I have loved 
you ever, and will continually while I live love you 
as my natural father. And if you would under- 
stand of the love that I bear you, ascertain your- 
self that so much as you have, so much you are 
worth, and so much I love you and no more." 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 3 

The father being nothing content with this 
answer, married his two eldest daughters, the 
one unto Henninus, duke of Cornwall, and the 
other unto Paglanus, duke of Albany, betwixt 
whom he willed and ordained that his land should 
be divided after his death, and the one half thereof 
immediately should be assigned to them in hand. 
For the third daughter, Cordelia, he reserved 
nothing. 

Nevertheless it fortuned that Aganippus, one 
of the princes of Gallia (which is now called 
France), hearing of the beauty, womanhood and 
good conditions of Cordelia, desired to have her 
in marriage, and sent over to her father, requir- 
ing that he might have her for his wife. To whom 
answer was made that he might have Cordelia, 
but as for any dower she would have none, for all 
was already promised and assured to her two 
sisters. Aganippus, notwithstanding this answer, 
the denial that she should receive anything by 
way of dower, married Cordelia out of respect of 
her person and amiable virtues. 

In times after this, when Lear was fallen into 
age, the two dukes that had married his two 
eldest daughters, thinking it long ere the govern- 
ment of the land did come to their hands, arose 
against him in armor, and wrested from him the 
governance of the land, enjoining conditions to 
be continued for the term of his life. By these 
conditions the old king was put upon a portion, 
that is, he was to live after a rate assigned to him 
for the maintenance of his estate, and this in 



4 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

process of time was diminished as well by Pag- 
lanus as by Henninus. 

But the greatest of the grief to Lear was to 
see the unkindness of his daughters, who seemed 
to think that all was too much which their father 
had, the same being never so little, — insomuch 
that going from the one to the other he was 
brought to that misery that scarcely they would 
allow him one servant to wait upon him. 

In the end, such was the unkindness, or 
unnaturalness which he found in his two daugh- 
ters, notwithstanding their fair and pleasant 
words uttered in time past, that being constrained 
of necessity, he fled the land, and sailed unto 
Gallia, there to seek comfort of his youngest 
daughter, Cordelia. 

The lady Cordelia, hearing that he was arrived 
in poor estate, first sent to him privily a certain 
sum of money to apparel himself withal, and to 
retain a certain number of servants that might 
attend upon him in honorable wise, as appertained 
to the estate which he had borne; and then so 
accompanied, she appointed him to come to the 
court where he was joyfully, honorably and lov- 
ingly received, both by his son-in-law, Aganippus, 
and also by his daughter, Cordelia. Thus was 
his heart greatly comforted, for he was no less 
honored than if he had been king of the whole 
country himself. 

Now when he had informed his son-in-law and 
his daughter in what sort he had been used by 
his other daughters, Aganippus caused a mighty 
army to be put in readiness, and likewise a great 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 5 

navy of ships to be rigged, in order to pass over 
into Britain with Lear and to see him again 
restored to his kingdom. It was also accorded 
that Cordelia should also go with him to take 
possession of the land, the which he promised to 
leave unto her as the rightful inheritor after his 
decease, notwithstanding any former grant made 
to her sisters or to their husbands in any manner 
of wise. 

Hereupon, when this army and navy of ships 
were ready, Lear and his daughter Cordelia, with 
her husband, took the sea, and arriving in Britain, 
fought with their enemies and discomfited them. 
In this battle Paglanus and Henninus were slain. 

Thus then was Lear restored to his kingdom 
which he ruled afterwards for the space of two 
years, and then died, forty years after he first 
began to reign. His body was buried in Leices- 
ter (the town he himself had caused to be builded), 
and in a vault under the channel of the river 
Soar beneath the town. 

Then was Cordelia, youngest daughter of 
Lear, admitted queen and supreme governess of 
Britain in the year 3155.* This Cordelia ruled 
the land right worthily during the space of five 
years, in which meantime her husband died. And 
then about the end of those five years her two 
nephews, sons of her aforesaid sisters, loving 
faction and disdaining to be under the govern- 
ment of a woman, levied war against her and 
destroyed a great part of the land, and finally 
took her prisoner. They laid her fast in ward; 

* 806 B.C. 



6 STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 

wherewith she took such grief, being a woman of 
manly courage, and despairing to recover liberty, 
there slew herself where she had reigned, as 
before is mentioned, the term of five years. 



Boadicea's Fierce Lead of the 
Britons against the Romans 

In this tale Boadicea, queen of a tribe of the Britons called 
Iceni, heads a popular outburst against the oppressions of the 
conquering Romans. These events happened in the year 61 of 
our era under the rule of the emperor Nero. The Icenians lived 
in what is now Norfolk and Suffolk, England. 

About a hundred years before the happenings related here, 
Caesar, by leading his armies into Britain, had begun the conquest 
of the people of the lower part of the island and their subjection 
to the will of imperial Rome. The governors sent from Rome to 
carry out this will had seized the people's goods and entered 
upon the various blood-sucking practices of governors of a remote 
colony, and had driven the Britons to desperation. Suetonius 
Paulinus was the governor. Under such conditions Boadicea, the 
widow of a chief of the Iceni, headed the half-armed and desper- 
ate people against the power whose slavery they were suffering. 
Chronicler Holinshed tells the tale with genuine feeling and in 
the following quaint and entertaining fashion. 

QUEEN BOADICEA'S FIERCE WAR 
AGAINST THE ROMANS 

ABOUT the year 61 a.d., when Paulinus, the 
governor whom the Romans had established 
in Britain, had gone abroad upon some 
enterprise, the Britons began to confer together 
of their great and unbearable miseries; of their 
grievous state of servitude; of their injuries and 
wrongs, which they daily sustained; how by suf- 
fering they profited nothing, but still were op- 
pressed with more heavy burdens. 

There was still another cause that stirred 



8 STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 

them to rebellion. When the Roman governor 
had got possession of Britain, and had placed 
garrisons of war to keep the people in subjection, 
he caused also their woods to be cut down, which 
the Britons had consecrated to their gods, and in 
which they worshiped. 

To this another grief was added, that the 
Romans having lent great sums of money to the 
Britons, upon great interest, required the whole 
sum together, although the Romans forced the 
Britons at the first to take the money at usury. 
Also such old Roman soldiers as were placed, by 
way of a colony in Britain, drove the Britons out 
of their possessions and lands, and accounted 
them as slaves or bondmen. 

And also another thing: a temple that had 
been built by the Romans was served with priests, 
who, under cover of religion, did spoil, consume 
and devour the goods of all men. 

But the Britons were chiefly moved to rebel- 
lion by the just complaint of Boadicea, widow of 
a king of the east coast of Britain, who declared 
how unseemly she had been used, and publicly 
whipped at the hands of the Romans. And 
because she was most earnestly bent to seek re- 
venge of their injuries, and hated the name of the 
Romans most of all others, they chose her to be 
their captain, for the Britons in rule and govern- 
ment made no difference of sex, whether they 
committed the same to a man or woman. 

So by a general conspiracy the more part of 
the people rose and assembled themselves together 
to make war against the Romans. There were of 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 9 

them a hundred and twenty thousand got together 
in one army under the leading of the said 
Boadicea. 

Boadicea therefore, to encourage her people 
against their enemies, mounted up into a high 
place raised up of turfs and sods, and from this 
she made a long and very pithy oration. Her 
mighty, tall person, her comely shape, her severe 
countenance and sharp voice, with her long and 
yellow tresses of hair reaching down to her 
thighs, and her brave and gorgeous apparel, also, 
caused the people to have her in great reverence. 
She wore a chain of gold, great and very massy, 
and she was clad in a loose kirtle of sundry colors ; 
and aloft thereupon she had a thick Irish mantle. 
In her hand, as her custom was, she bore a spear, 
to show herself the more dreadful. 

Thus Boadicea being prepared set forth with 
such majesty that she greatly encouraged and 
emboldened the Britons ; unto whom, for their 
better animating and emboldening, she uttered 
this gallant oration in manner and force fol- 
lowing : 

"I do suppose, my lovers and friends, that 
there is no man here but doth well understand 
how much liberty and freedom is to .be preferred 
before thraldom and bondage. But if there have 
been any of you so deceived with the Eoman per- 
suasions that ye did not for a time see a differ- 
ence between them, now I hope that having tried 
what it is to be under both, ye will with me reform 
your judgment, and by the harms already taken, 
acknowledge your oversight and forsake your 



10 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

former error. A number of you have rashly pre- 
ferred an external sovereignty before the cus- 
toms and laws of your own country; but at this 
time I doubt not you do perfectly understand how 
much free poverty is to be preferred before great 
riches whereunto servitude is annexed, and much 
wealth under foreign magistrates whereupon 
slavery attendeth. For what thing, I beseech 
you, can there be so vile and grievous unto the 
nature of man that hath not happened to us since 
the time that the Eomans have been acquainted 
with this island? 

"Are we not all in manner bereaved of our 
riches and possessions? Do not we, besides 
other things that we give and the land that we till 
for their profit, pay them all kinds of tribute? 
How much better it is to be at once aloft and 
fortunate in deed, than under the forged and 
false title of liberty, continually to pay for our 
redemption and freedom? How much is it more 
commendable to lose our lives in defense of our 
country than to carry about not so much as our 
heads toll free, but daily oppressed and laden 
with innumerable exactions. 

"How shall we look for better dealing at their 
hands hereafter that at the beginning deal so dis- 
courteously with us? — since there is no man that 
raiseth so much as a wild beast but at the first he 
will cherish it, and with some gentleness win it to 
a familiarity. But we ourselves, to say the truth, 
are authors of our own mischief, who suffered 
them at first to set foot within our island, and 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 11 

did not by and by drive them back, as we did 
Caesar, or slay them with our swords. 

"We therefore, even we, are now contemned 
and trodden under foot of them who study nothing 
else but how to become lords and have rule of 
other men. Wherefore, my well-beloved citizens, 
friends and kinsfolk, for I think we are all of kin 
since we were born and dwell in this isle and have 
one name common to us all, let us now, even now, 
I say, stick together and perform that thing 
which doth pertain to valiant and hardy courages, 
to the end we may enjoy not only the name of 
liberty, but also freedom itself. 

"If you consider the number of your enemies, 
it is not greater than theirs. And we do so far 
exceed them in force that in mine opinion our 
army is more strong than stone walls, and one of 
our targets worth all the armor that they do bear 
upon them: by means whereof, if the victory be 
ours, we shall soon make them captive, or if we 
lose the field we shall easily escape danger. If 
after flight we shall endeavor to meet anywhere, 
we have the marshes to hide us in, and the hills 
round about to keep them off, so that by no means 
they shall have their purpose of us. They being 
overcharged with heavy armor shall neither be 
able to follow, if we flee, nor escape out of danger 
if they be put to flight. In which things, as they 
are far inferior to us, so most of all in this that 
they cannot endure hunger, thirst, cold, heat and 
sunshine, as we can do. In their houses, also, 
and tents they make much account of their baked 
meats, wine, oil, and if any of these do fail them 



12 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

they either die forthwith, or else in time they 
languish and consume. Where to us every herb 
and root is meat, every juice an oil, all water 
pleasant wine, and every tree a house. Besides 
this there is no place of the land unknown to us, 
neither yet unfriendly to succor us at need, where 
to the Eomans they are for the most part un- 
known and altogether dangerous, if they should 
stand in need. We can with ease swim over every 
river, both naked and clad, which they with their 
great ships are scarce able to perform. Where- 
fore with hope and good luck, let us set upon them 
courageously, and teach them to understand that 
since they are no better than hares and foxes, 
they attempt a wrong match when they endeavor 
to subdue the greyhounds and wolves.' ' 

With which words the queen let an hare go out 
of her lap, as it were thereby to give prognostica- 
tion of her success, which coming well to pass all 
the company shouted and cried out upon a power 
that not long before had done such violence to so 
noble a personage as the queen.* 

Then Boadicea, clapping her hands, gave 
thanks to the goddess that governed the Britons 
that she ruled not the Eomans, as did Nero (who 
was called by the name of man, yet was indeed in 
a way a woman as doth appear by his voice, his 
harp and his attire), but over the noble Britons. 

When Boadicea had made an end of her 
prayer, she set forward against her enemies, who 
were then in Camelodunum or Colchester. This 
city was not compassed with any rampart or ditch 

* This refers to the brutal scourging of Boadicea by the Romans. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 13 

for defense, such Britons as haply were privy to 
the conspiracy having put into the heads of the 
Romans that no fortification was needed. Neither 
were the aged men and women sent away, whereby 
the younger, abler persons might without trouble 
of them better attend to the defense of the city. 
But even as they had been in all surety of peace 
and free from suspicion of any war, the garrison 
of the Romans was suddenly beset with the huge 
army of the Britons. 

All went to spoil and fire that could be found 
without the inclosure of the temple into which 
the Roman soldiers, drunken with sudden fear by 
this sudden coming of their enemies, had thronged. 
There being besieged by the Britons, within the 
space of two days the place was won, and they 
within found slain, every mother's son. 

After this the Britons, encouraged with this 
victory, went to meet the legion surnamed the 
ninth, boldly encountered the same and gave the 
Romans the overthrow and slew all the footmen, 
so that the lieutenant, Petilius Cerealis, with 
much ado escaped with his horsemen, and got 
him back to camp, and saved himself within the 
trenches. Catus, the procurator, being put in 
fear with this overthrow, and perceiving what 
hatred the Britons bore towards him, having with 
his covetousness thus brought the war upon the 
head of the Romans, got him over into Gaul. 

But Paulinus, advertised of their doings, came 
back and with marvelous constancy marched 
through the midst of his enemies to London, which 
was not then greatly peopled with Romans, 



14 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

though there was a colony of them, but full of 
merchants and well provided with victuals. He 
was in great doubt at his coming thither, whether 
he might best stay there as in a place most con- 
venient, or rather seek some other place more 
easy to be defended. At length, considering the 
small number of his men of war, and remember- 
ing how Cerealis had sped by his too much rash- 
ness, he thought better with the losing of one 
town to save the whole than to put all in danger 
of irrecoverable loss. And therefore, nothing 
moved at the prayers and tears of them who 
besought of him aid and succor, he departed, and 
those that would go with him he received into his 
army. 

The Britons leaving the castles and fortresses 
unassaulted, followed their gain in spoiling of 
those places which were easy to get, and where 
great plenty of riches was to be found, using 
their victory with such cruelty that they slew, as 
the report went, to the number of seventy thou- 
sand Eomans, and such as took their part in the 
said places. 

For there was nothing with the Britons but 
slaughter, fire, gallows and such like, so earnestly 
were they set on revenge. They spared neither 
age nor sex. Women of great nobility and worthy 
fame they took and hanged up naked, and some 
of their bodies they stretched out in length and 
thrust them on sharp stakes. All these things 
they did in great despite whilst they sacrificed in 
their temples and made feasts, namely in the 
woods consecrated to the honor of their goddess 



STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 15 

of victory, whom they worshiped most reverently. 

In the meantime there came over to the aid 
of Paulinus, the legion surnamed the fourteenth, 
and other bands of soldiers and men of war to 
the number of ten thousand, whereupon (chiefly 
because victuals began to fail him) he prepared 
to give battle to his enemies. He chose out a plot 
of ground very strong within straits, and backed 
with a wood, so that the enemies could not assault 
his camp but on the front. Yet by reason of their 
great multitude, and hope of victory conceived by 
their late prosperous success, the Britons, under 
the conduct of queen Boadicea, adventured to give 
battle, having their women there whom they 
placed in chariots at the uttermost side of their 
field, to be witnesses of their victory. 

Boadicea, being mounted in a chariot, as she 
passed by the soldiers of each country told them 
it was a thing accustomed among the Britons to 
go to wars under the leading of women, and that 
she, born of such noble ancestors as she was 
descended from, was not now come forth to fight 
for her kingdom and riches, but as one of the 
meaner sort, rather to defend her lost liberty, and 
to revenge herself of the enemy for their cruelty 
showed in scourging her like a vagabond. 

"The legion that presumes to encounter with 
us is slain and beaten down. The residue keep 
them close within their holds. They shall not be 
once able so much as to abide the noise and 
clamor of so many thousands as we are here 
assembled, much less the force of our great 
puissance and dreadful hands. If ye therefore," 



16 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

said she, " would weigh and consider with your- 
selves your huge numbers of men of war, ye would 
surely determine either in this battle to die with 
honor, or else to vanquish the enemy by plain 
force, for so/' quoth she, "I, a woman, am fully 
resolved. As for you men, ye may if ye list, live 
and be brought into bondage.' ' 

Neither did Paulinus cease to exhort his 
people, willing them not to fear the vain, menac- 
ing threats of the Britons, since they had no skill 
in warlike discipline, and being naked without 
furniture of armor, would forthwith give place 
when they should feel the sharp points of the 
Eoman weapons, and the force of them by whom 
they had so often been put to flight. 

Such forwardness in the soldiers followed 
upon this exhortation of their courageous general, 
that every one prepared himself so readily to do 
his duty, and with such a show of skill and ex- 
perience that Paulinus caused the trumpets to 
sound to the battle. 

The onset was given in the straits, or pass, 
greatly to the advantage of the Eomans, who were 
but a handful in comparison to their enemies. 
The fight in the beginning was very sharp and 
cruel. But in the end the Britons, being a hin- 
drance one to another by reason of the narrow- 
ness of the place, were not able to sustain the 
violent force of the Eomans. They were con- 
strained to give back, and so being disordered 
were put to flight and utterly discomfited. 

The strait being stopped with the chariots 
stayed the flight of the Britons, so they could not 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 17 

easily escape. And the Romans were so set on 
revenge that they spared neither man nor woman, 
so that many were slain in the battle, many 
amongst the chariots and a great number at the 
wood's side, which way they made their flight, 
and many were taken prisoners. 

Those that escaped would have fought a new 
battle, but in the meantime Boadicea poisoned 
herself, and so died, because she would not come 
into the hands of her bloodthirsty enemies. 



Legends of King Arthur and 
his Mighty Deeds 

About the beginning of the sixth century of our era, say 

between the years 508 and 542, when the Saxons were coming over 
from Germany and invading Britain, there doubtless ruled over 
a part of the Britons a king whom we know as Arthur. He must 
have been a mighty warrior, and far ahead of his time in those 
graces which go to make a person of gentle breeding. 

So puissant was he that about his birth and coming to the 
throne, and then of the gracious usages of his court, many 
astounding miracles were reported. These popular narratives of 
the ruler who had led the Britons to victory against their Teutonic 
invaders passed from mouth to mouth and grew under the imagi- 
nation of the tellers. Finally after some centuries the tales took 
final shape in the writings of ingenuous old chroniclers. 

One of the happiest of the old chroniclers who wrote of 
Arthur is Geoffrey of Monmouth, and a part of his narrative we 
here subjoin. If he is one of the happiest, he is also one of the 
more credulous, and he tells a tale or two against the possible 
truth of which historians would set their faces. For instance, 
there is the story of the giant on Mount Michael. 

Many of the legends clustered round the name of Arthur you 
will find retold in Tennyson's Idyls of the King, and also in 
Malory's Morte d' Arthur. 

LEGENDS OF KING ARTHUR 

UTHER PENDRAGON having died, the 
nobility from several provinces met to- 
gether at Silchester and proposed to con- 
secrate Arthur, Uther's son, to be their king. 
They were now in great straits because, upon 
hearing of Uther's death, the Saxons had invited 
over their countrymen from Germany and were 
attempting to exterminate the whole British race. 
They had already subdued that part of the island 

18 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 19 

which lies between the Humber and the sea at 
Caithness. The nobility and bishops, therefore, 
set the crown upon Arthur's head. 

Arthur was then fifteen years old, but a youth 
of such unparalleled courage and generosity, 
joined with such sweetness of temper and innate 
goodness, as gained him universal love. When 
this coronation was over, he, according to usual 
custom, showed his bounty and munificence to the 
people. And such a number of soldiers flocked 
to him that his treasury was not able to answer 
that vast expense. But such a spirit of gener- 
osity, joined with valor, can never long want 
means of support. Arthur, therefore, the better 
to keep up his munificence, resolved to use his 
courage and fall upon the Saxons, that he might 
enrich his followers with their wealth. To this 
he was also moved by the justice of the cause, 
since the entire monarchy of Britain belonged to 
him by hereditary right. 

Hereupon assembling the youth under his com- 
mand, he marched to York, where he met a great 
army composed of Saxons, Scots and Picts, and 
a battle happened with the loss of the greater 
part of both armies. The victory fell to Arthur, 
who pursued the foreigners to York and there 
besieged them. Upon the news, however, that a 
fleet of six hundred sail, laden with soldiers, was 
approaching for relief of the besieged, Arthur 
was dissuaded by his council from continuing the 
siege and hazarding a battle with so powerful 
and numerous an army. 

Arthur made his retreat to London, where he 



20 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

called an assembly of the nobility and clergy to 
ask their advice, what course to take against the 
formidable power of the pagans. After some 
deliberation it was agreed to send ambassadors 
to Hoel of Amorica, and represent to him the 
calamitous state of Britain. Hoel was the son 
of Arthur's sister who was married to the king 
of the Amorican Britons. Upon hearing of the 
disaster with which his uncle was threatened, 
Hoel ordered his fleet to be got ready, and having 
assembled fifteen thousand men, he came with 
the first fair wind to Hamo's Port (which we now 
know as Southampton), and was received with 
all suitable honor by Arthur and most affection- 
ately embraced by him. 

After a few days they went to relieve a city 
besieged by the pagans, which, situated upon a 
mountain between two rivers, is called Lindo- 
colinum (Lincoln). As soon as they arrived 
there with their forces they fought with the 
Saxons, and made a grievous slaughter of them 
to the number of six thousand; part of whom 
were drowned in the rivers, part fell by the hands 
of the Britons. The rest in consternation quitted 
the siege and fled, but were closely pursued by 
Arthur till they came to a large woods where they 
made a stand and formed themselves into a body. 

Here they again joined battle with the Britons 
and made a brave defense. The trees that were 
in the place secured them against the enemies' 
arrows. Arthur, seeing this, commanded that the 
trees in that part of the wood be cut down, and 
the trunks be placed quite round them, so as to 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 21 

hinder their getting out, resolving to keep them 
pent up here till he could reduce them by famine. 
He then commanded his troops to besiege the 
woods and continued three days in that place. 

The Saxons, having now no provisions to sus- 
tain them, and famishing with hunger, begged for 
leave to issue forth; in consideration whereof 
they offered to leave all their gold and silver be- 
hind them and return back to Germany with noth- 
ing but their empty ships. They promised further 
that they would pay him tribute from Germany 
and leave hostages with him. 

Arthur, after consultation, granted their peti- 
tion, allowing them only leave to depart and 
retaining all their treasures, and also hostages 
for payment of the tribute. 

But the Saxons, as they were under sail on 
their return home, repented of their bargain and 
tacked about again towards Britain. No sooner 
had they landed than they made an utter devasta- 
tion of the country as far as the Severn sea, and 
put all the husbandmen to the sword. From 
thence they marched to the town of Bath and 
besieged that city. 

When word of this was brought to King 
Arthur, he was beyond measure surprised at their 
wickedness, and at once gave orders for the exe- 
cution of the hostages. He abandoned the expe- 
dition upon which he had entered to reduce the 
Scots and Picts and marched hurriedly to raise the 
siege of Bath. However, that which grieved him 
most was that he left his nephew Hoel sick at the 
citv of Alclud. 



22 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

When at length he entered the province of 
Somerset and beheld how the siege was carried 
out, he spoke to his followers in these words: 
' ' Since these impious and detestable Saxons have 
disdained to keep faith with me, I, to keep my 
faith with God, will endeavor this day to revenge 
the blood of my countrymen upon them. To 
arms, therefore, warriors, to arms, and with 
courage fall upon the traitors, for with Christ's 
succor we cannot fail of victory.' ' 

When he had done speaking, saint Dubric, 
archbishop of the city of Legions, going to the 
top of a hill, cried out with a loud voice: "You 
men that have the honor of Christian profession, 
fix in your minds the love you owe your country 
and fellowmen, whose sufferings by the treachery 
of the heathen will be a reproach to you everlast- 
ingly, if you do not defend them. Fight therefore 
for your country, and if you die in the fight, 
suffer death willingly, for that itself is victory 
and a cure unto the soul. For he that shall have 
died for his brethren offers himself a living sacri- 
fice to God, nor is it doubtful that he follows the 
footsteps of Christ who humbled himself to lay 
down his life for his brethren.' ' 

At these words of the holy man the warriors 
instantly armed themselves. And Arthur him- 
self, putting on a coat of mail fitted to the worth 
of so noble a king, set upon his head a golden 
helmet upon which was graved the figure of a 
dragon. Upon his shoulders he bore his shield 
called Priwen, upon the inner side of which was 
painted the picture of holy Mary in order to put 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 23 

him oft in mind of her. Then he girt on Cali- 
burn, an excellent sword, made in the island of 
Avalon, and graced his right hand with his lance 
named Eon, which was hard and stout and fit for 
slaughter. 

After placing his men in order he boldly at- 
tacked the Saxons, who, after their wont, were 
ranked in shape of a wedge. All that day, and 
notwithstanding the Britons fought with great 
eagerness, the Saxons made a noble defense. 
Upon the following day, also, like fortune of war 
was between the hosts. Hereupon when much of 
the second day had been spent, Arthur, angry to 
see the little advantage he had gained, drew forth 
his sword, Caliburn, and crying aloud the name 
of holy Mary, rushed forward with great fury 
into the thickest of the enemy's ranks. Of those 
who felt the fury of his sword, not one remained 
alive. Nor did he slack the rage of his onslaught 
till with his Caliburn alone he had killed four hun- 
dred and seventy men. The Britons seeing this, 
followed their leader, dealing slaughter on every 
side. 

Victory thus won, the king bade Cador, duke 
of Cornwall, pursue and capture or exterminate 
the enemy, while he himself should hasten his 
march into Albany, from whence he had word that 
the Scots and Picts were besieging Alclud, in 
which, as we said, Hoel lay sick. This city he 
relieved from the oppression of the barbarians, 
and then led his army against the Scots and Picts, 
treating them with a cruelty beyond compare. 
When the king of Ireland came with a fleet and 



24 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

great army of barbarians to aid the Scots, Arthur 
turned his arms towards the Irish and, slaying 
some without mercy, forced the rest to return to 
their own country. The Scots and Picts he 
granted clemency to, when the clergy of the 
country came barefoot to implore his mercy for 
their distressed fellowmen and his pity for their 
distressed country. 

After his general pardon to the Scottish peo- 
ple, Arthur went to York to celebrate the Christ- 
mas festival which was now at hand. On entering 
the city he beheld with grief the desolation of the 
churches. For when the archbishop Samson and 
the clergy had been driven forth, the fury of the 
heathen had prevailed, and no longer were the 
offices of religion preformed in them. The 
churches that lay level with the ground he rebuilt 
and filled with assemblies of devout persons, both 
women and men. The noble barons, also, who 
had been driven out by the disturbances of the 
Saxons, he restored to their early honors. At 
length when the whole country was reestablished 
by him in its ancient state and dignity, Arthur 
for the nonce laid aside war, and did marry 
Guenevere, a lady born of a noble Roman family, 
who surpassed in beauty all the women of the 
island. 

For twelve years he abode in his kingdom in 
peace. He invited unto him all persons whatso- 
ever that were famous for valor in foreign na- 
tions. He also began to increase the number of 
his domestics and to introduce such politeness 
into his court as seemed to peoples of distant 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 25 

countries worthy of their imitation. So that in 
all the land there was not a noble fain to be held 
with him, who would not strive to have the cut of 
his clothes, and the manner of his arms, in the 
same fashion as the arms and clothes of Arthur's 
knights. 

At length the fame of Arthur's bounty and 
the valor of his deeds was the talk of the world, 
even to the furthest peoples, and he became a 
terror to the kings of other lands, lest he make 
an attempt to gain their dominions. Perplexed 
with these anxieties and cares, they repaired 
their cities and the towers of their cities, and 
builded strongholds in places fitted for defense, 
the better to fortify their country against any 
expedition Arthur might make, and the better to 
have a refuge, if need for it should come. 

Arthur, when he learned what they were doing, 
was filled with joy that they stood in awe of his 
arms, and thereupon he set his design upon con- 
quering all of Europe. He first attempted Nor- 
way. Thence victory followed him to Dacia, and 
to Acquaine and to Gaul. At the end of nine 
years he returned in the beginning of spring to 
Britain. 

It was now the approach of the feast of Pente- 
cost, or Whitsuntide, and Arthur, the better to 
show how uplifted his heart at so great success, 
and for the more solemn observance of that fes- 
tival and reconciling the minds of the princes now 
subject to him, resolved to hold a court of great 
magnificence, to set the crown upon his head, and 



26 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

to invite to the solemnity all kings and dnkes who 
had become his vassals. 

When he made known this design to his 
familiars, he pitched upon the city of Legions 
wherein to fulfil his desire. For besides its 
great wealth above other cities, it had a pleasant 
position upon the river Usk, near the Severn sea, 
and was thus a place fitting for so great a 
solemnity. On the one side it was washed by the 
noble river, so that kings and princes from beyond 
the seas might come thither even in their ships. 
On the other side it was girdled with the beauty 
of meadows and groves, and the magnificence of 
the royal palaces with lofty gilded roofs within it 
made it rival the city of Rome. It was also 
famous for two churches and for a college of two 
hundred learned philosophers. In this place, 
therefore, which afforded such delights, were 
preparations made for the great festival. 

From all Britain and from neighboring islands, 
and from the parts beyond seas came kings and 
princes and nobles. The names are too many to 
tell; to recount would be tedious, and with each 
such a train of mules, horses and rich furniture 
as it is difficult to describe. Not a single prince 
this side of Spain who did not come upon this 
invitation. And no wonder, when Arthur's bounty 
was talked of all men, and all men for his sake 
were fain to come. 

At last when all were assembled in the city 
upon the day of the high festival, the archbishops 
were conducted to the palace to place the crown 
upon the king's head. Dubric, therefore, because 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 27 

the court was held in his diocese, made ready to 
celebrate the office. As soon as the king had been 
invested with the signs of his kingship, he was 
led in great pomp to the metropolitan church; 
upon his right hand walked one archbishop, and 
a second upon his left. Four kings, moreover, 
whose right it was, went bearing before him four 
golden swords. A company making sweet music 
in most excellent harmony also attended him. 

On another part was Queen Guenevere, dressed 
in her richest ornaments, and conducted also by 
archbishops to the church of the virgins. Four 
queens of the kings already mentioned did bear 
before her four white doves according to ancient 
custom, and there followed her a retinue of 
women, making all signs of joy and gladness. 
When the whole procession was ended, so trans- 
porting was the music of the instruments and 
voices in both churches, that the knights who 
were there could choose with difficulty which 
church they would enter, and therefore they 
flocked first into one and then into the other. 
Nor although great part of the day was spent 
in it, could they tire with the solemnity. 

At last, when the celebration was over in both 
churches, the king and queen put off their crowns 
and donning lighter ornaments went to the ban- 
quet. When they had all taken their seats ac- 
cording as the rank of each did demand. Kay, the 
seneschal, in rich robes of ermine, with a thou- 
sand noble youths in like manner clothed, did 
serve up the dishes. From another part Bedevere 
the butler had the same number of attendants, 



28 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

who waited with all kinds of cups and drinking 
vessels. 

I should draw out this history to a tedious 
length if I were to describe the various services. 
At that time Britain had come to such a pitch of 
grandeur that the kingdom, in plenty of riches, in 
luxury of ornaments, and in the courtesy of the 
people who dwelt in it, did surpass all other coun- 
tries. The knights of it that were of high re- 
nown for feats of chivalry wore their clothes and 
arms all of the same color and fashion. The 
women of the country, no less celebrated for their 
wit, did apparel themselves in like manner. And 
they esteemed none worthy of their love save him 
who in three several battles had proved his valor. 
Wherefore the knights were nobler for the love. 

As soon as they were well refreshed at the 
banquet, numbers of the noble company went 
forth into the fields without the city to divert 
themselves with sundry sports. The knights 
engaged in a game which imitated a fight on horse- 
back, while the ladies, looking on from the top of 
the walls, did cheer them in sportive manner the 
more to encourage them. Others elsewhere spent 
the rest of the day in other sports, in shooting with 
bows and arrows, in tossing spears, in flinging 
heavy stones, and putting the weight, in playing 
at dice and like games, and all these without 
offense and quarreling. Whoever had done best 
in his game was rewarded by Arthur with a rich 
prize. 

In this wise were the first three days spent; 
and upon the fourth, all who at this solemnity 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 29 

had done service in virtue of the office they held, 
were called together and unto each was made 
grant of honor in possession, for example an earl- 
dom or a city or castle, a bishopric, abbey, or 
whatever other part of honor might be. 

The high festival of Arthur's and Guenevere's 
coronation had, however, barely ceased its music, 
when ambassadors from eastern kings announced 
that their masters were assembling mighty forces 
to subdue Britain. Thereupon all the brilliant 
company called together for the coronation 
pledged their aid to the king and took ship for 
home to gather supplies, each one to his own 
kingdom. 

Arthur committed the government of his realm 
to his nephew Mordred and the queen Guenevere, 
and he and his army marching to Harno's Port, 
embarked with a fair breeze of wind. Eastward 
they sailed in order to meet their allies and pro- 
ceed against the armies of the eastern kings, and 
after one night's sail they found themselves in 
the red of morning in a haven known as Barfleur. 
There they landed and pitched their tents and did 
await the coming of the kings of the islands and 
the dukes of the other provinces. 

Meanwhile Arthur had tidings that a giant of 
marvelous size was come from the shores of 
Spain, and, moreover, had seized Helena, niece 
of duke Hoel, and fled with her to the top of the 
mount that is now called Michael's. To that 
mount the knights of the country had pursued 
him, but they could prevail against him neither 
by sea nor land. For when they made trial he 



30 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

would sink their ships by hurling down vast 
rocks, or slay them with darts. Besides he took 
and devoured many half alive. 

The next night, therefore, at the second hour, 
Arthur, taking with him Kay, the seneschal, and 
Bedevere, the butler, went forth privately from 
the tents and hastened towards the mount. 
When they were come anear it they saw a fire 
burning upon the top, and another smaller fire 
upon a smaller mount not far from the first. 
Being in doubt upon which mount the giant had 
his dwelling, they sent away Bedevere to spy the 
certainty of the matter. 

He sailing over to the lesser mount was mak- 
ing his way to the top when he heard the wailing 
of a woman. He shuddered, but quickly recover- 
ing his hardihood, drew his sword and reached 
the summit. There he discovered a newly-made 
grave, and by it an elder dame sorely weeping 
and lamenting, who, as soon as she beheld Bede- 
vere, spoke to him in this wise : "0, unhappy man, 
what evil hath brought you to this place? 0, the 
pangs of death you must suffer ! I pity you whom 
the detestable monster will this night destroy. 
He, the most wicked and impious giant, did bring 
to this mount the niece of our duke, and she, my 
queenly foster-child, swooning with fear of the 
foul monster, did breathe forth her life. Her body 
I, her nurse, have just now laid in silence in the 
grave. ' ' 

Bedevere, moved to the heart by what the old 
nurse said, soothed her with words of comfort 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 31 

and promise of speedy help. He then returned 
to Arthur. 

Lamenting grievously the damsel's sad fate, 
Arthur bade his comrades allow him to attack the 
giant single-handed, unless his need for their aid 
be dire. Together then they three made their 
way to the greater mount, and began their climb 
to the top, Arthur leading the way. 

At that moment the monstrous savage was 
sitting by his fire, his face besmeared with the 
clotted blood of swine, part of which he was roast- 
ing on spits over the live embers. At sight of 
king Arthur and his companions the giant has- 
tened to seize his club, which two strong men 
could scarce have lifted from the ground. The 
king, forthwith, drew his sword, and covering 
himself with his shield, ran with all speed to pre- 
vent the giant's getting hold of the club. But he, 
aware of the king's design, had already snatched 
it up and gave the king such a blow upon his 
shield that the sound filled the shores and did 
utterly stun Arthur's ears. 

Arthur, nothing daunted, slipped out of his 
clutches as the monster groped forward, and so 
exerted himself with his sword, striking at the 
giant first in one place and then in another, that 
he gave him no respite until he dealt him a mighty 
buffet on the head. The hideous creature roared 
aloud and dropped with a terrible sound, like an 
oak torn up from the roots by the winds. 

In this conflict, therefore, Arthur proved him- 
self victorious, and he later said that he had 
met with none who could be compared to this 



32 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

giant in strength. The king and his companions 
now gathering to them the elder dame from the 
lesser mount, did return at the break of the day 
to their camp. Great crowds came to meet them 
and all praised the valor of the man who had 
freed the land from so destructive and terrible a 
monster. But Hoel, grieving for the loss of his 
niece, bade a church be builded over her body on 
the mount, which was named after the damsel's 
grave and is called the tomb of Helena to this 
day. 

Leading his kings and their armies against the 
forces of the eastern kings, Arthur won many vic- 
tories. But as he was beginning to climb the 
passes of the Alps on his march towards Rome, 
word was brought him that his nephew Mordred, 
into whose care he had entrusted Britain, had 
with tyrannous and treasonable practices set the 
crown of the kingdom upon his own head. 

As soon as the report of this wickedness 
reached him, Arthur at once put aside his expe- 
ditions, and straightway hastened back to Britain. 
The wicked traitor, Mordred, had sent into Ger- 
many and there enlisted any that would join him. 
From that land now were brought back eight 
hundred ships full of armed soldiers who had 
covenanted to obey the leaders of the traitor. 
Mordred's whole army numbered some eight hun- 
dred thousand men, and with their help he met 
Arthur just after he landed at the haven of Rich- 
borough, and made a great slaughter of men. But 
Arthur, when at last his forces had got ashore, 
paid back the loss and drove Mordred and his 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 33 

army fleeing before them. By the long use of 
arms and by many battles, they had learned to 
dispose their companies of foot and horse with 
greatest skill. 

After sundry battles in which great numbers 
lost their lives, and Mordred's army suffered 
most grievously, Mordred ever retreating towards 
the west, the armies marshaled for final en- 
counter. In this assault fell the wicked traitor 
himself, and many thousand with him. 

And now, too, even the renowned king Arthur 
was mortally wounded; and being carried from 
the field of battle unto the island of Avalon to be 
healed of his wounds, he gave up the crown of 
Britain to his kinsman, Constantine, in the year 
of our Lord five hundred and forty-two. 

[This ancient story of Arthur tells in various 
tales, for instance in Malory's Morte d' Arthur, 
and also in Tennyson's Idyls of the King, of the 
mysterious passing of the king, and the transfer 
of his body to a fabled Avalon. But the Annates 
of Stow, published in London in 1615, give the 
following account of the finding in later centuries 
of bodies supposed to be those of Arthur and the 
golden-haired Guenevere. It increases our in- 
terest in the story of Arthur, and we quote it 
here.] 

After recording that Arthur's body was car- 
ried to Glostenbury and laid sixteen feet under 
ground for fear that his enemies, the Saxons, 
might find it, the chronicler says that more than 
600 years after his death, to wit, about the year 

3 



34 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

1189, which was the last year of the reign of king 
Henry the second, his body was found buried in 
the churchyard (at Glostenbury) between two 
pillars. Those that digged the ground there to 
find his body, after they had entered about seven 
feet deep into the earth, found a mighty broad 
stone, with a leaden cross fastened to that part 
which lay downwards towards the corpse, con- 
taining this inscription : 

Hie jacet sepultus inclitus rex Arturius in insula 
Avalonia* 

This inscription was graven on that side of 
the cross which was next to the stone, so that 
till the cross was taken from the stone it was not 
seen. His body was found not inclosed within a 
tomb of stone, but within a great tree made hol- 
low like a trough, the which being digged up and 
opened, therein were found the bones of Arthur, 
which were of a marvelous bigness. The shin 
bone being set up by the leg of a very tall man 
came above his knee the breadth of three fingers. 
The skull was of wonderful bigness, in which 
there appeared the prints of wounds. Also in 
opening the tomb of his wife, Guenevere, that was 
buried with him, they found the tresses of her 
hair whole and perfect, finely plaited, of color 
like to gold, which being touched fell to dust. 

The bones of Arthur, with the bones of Guen- 
evere, his wife, were removed to the new great 
church, and there buried in a fair tomb of marble. 

* The renowned King Arthur lies buried here in the island of Avalon. 



Charlemagne and the Battle of 
Ronceval 

Charlemagne, or Karl the Great, ruled a great kingdom, hold- 
ing within itself many French and German peoples called Franks, 
and lying in western Europe. There he was king from the year 
768 to the year 814. What kind of a king he was, you will find 
further on. 

Some time during his reign he took into his service a German 
named Eginhard. This Eginhard abode at the court of the great 
Karl and in time became secretary and chaplain to the king. 
Wherefore in gratitude he wrote his master's life. With this 
writing of secretary Eginhard we now have to do. It is a story 
that has endured more than a thousand years, and a book that a 
late French historian calls "the most distinguished piece of 
history from the sixth to the eighth century. " It is the one 
great authority for the reign of the mighty' Charlemagne. 

CHARLEMAGNE AND THE BATTLE OF 
RONCEVAL 

I WAS conscious, says Eginhard in his intro- 
duction, that no one could describe more 
accurately than I could matters in which I 
was myself concerned, and which, eye-witnessed, 
as they say, I faithfully took note of at the time, 
and whether they would be recorded by another 
hand I could not clearly know. 

I therefore judged it better to hand down to 
posterity the same records, as it were in common 
with other writings, rather than that the brilliant 
life of the noblest king, the greatest of all in his 
age, and that actions the most distinguished, and 
by men of modern times little likely to be imi- 

35 



36 STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 

tated, should be allowed by me to perish in the 
shades of oblivion. 

There was in the background yet another 
cause, and one, in my opinion, not unreasonable, 
which, standing by itself, might even be sufficient 
to induce me to write this history, viz., the nur- 
ture bestowed upon me and the friendship with 
himself and his children, which, from the time 
when I first began to frequent his palace, was 
never interrupted. By these ties he so bound me 
and made me his debtor in life and death that I 
should with justice seem to be, and be judged to 
be, most ungrateful if, unmindful of so many 
kindnesses bestowed upon me, I were to pass over 
in silence the brilliant deeds of one who deserved 
so well of me, and were to allow his life, as though 
he had never lived, to remain without a written 
remembrance and the praise which is his due. 

But to describe and duly to unfold this sub- 
ject, not my small talent, meager and poor as it 
is- — nay, rather I had said which hardly exists at 
all—but the unflagging rhetoric of a Tully had 
sufficed. 

Here, however, reader, is the book which con- 
tains the memorial of this great and most famous 
man, in which there is nothing save only his noble 
deeds, to wonder at, unless haply you wonder that 
I, a barbarian,* too little versed in the Roman 
tongue, should have thought that I could write 
with any degree of propriety in Latin.f 

I pass by the birth, infancy, and childhood of 

* That is, one who was not a Roman or did not speak Greek or Latin, 
t This is a late English translation. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 37 

Karl because there is no written record concern- 
ing them, nor is any one now known to survive 
who can speak from personal knowledge. I have 
therefore thought it foolish to write about them, 
and have given my attention to relating and 
explaining those actions, habits, and other por- 
tions of his life which are not matters of 
uncertainty. 

[Karl was engaged in many wars, and his 
biographer enumerates their causes and results, — 
for instance those of the war against the Aqui- 
tanians or Franks south of the Loire, the war 
against the Lombards, the war against the 
Saxons.] 

It was during the time that the Saxon war 
was being vigorously and incessantly carried on, 
garrisons having been placed in all the most 
suitable places on the borders, that Karl marched 
into Spain with the best-appointed army possible. 
Having crossed the Pyrenean mountains, he 
reduced all the fortified towns and castles he 
came to, and was on his march home with his 
army safe and sound, when, in the very pass of 
the Pyrenees on his way back, he had a slight 
experience of Gascon treachery. 

The army was moving in column, and its 
formation was much extended, as the narrowness 
of the pass required, when the Gascons, who had 
placed ambuscades on the highest ledges of the 
mountains — the abundant thick cover of wood 
making the place most suitable for the disposal 
of an ambush — rushed down from their vantage 
ground into the valley below, and threw them- 



38 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

selves upon the extreme section of the baggage, 
and on those who were marching with it for its 
protection. The Gascons attacked them in a 
hand-to-hand fight, killed them all to a man, and 
destroyed the baggage; and being protected by 
the darkness of the night which was then coming 
on, they quickly dispersed in all directions. 

In this exploit the Gascons were much favored 
by the lightness of their weapons and the nature 
of the place where the attack was made, while the 
Franks, impeded by their heavy arms and the 
unevenness of the ground, were at a great 
disadvantage. 

There were killed in this fight Eggihard, the 
king's sewer; Anselm, the pfalsgraf; Roland, 
count of the British March, and many others. 

[The foregoing paragraphs are, it is said, the 
only historical record of the famous defeat of 
Ronceval. Yet round this battle came to be cen- 
tered many wonder-dealing histories and ro- 
mances, such as the Chansons de Roland. That 
history, which long stood as a veritable ac- 
count of the fight, was ascribed to Turpin, or 
Tilpin, "by the grace of God archbishop of 
Rheims, the faithful companion of Charles the 
Great in Spain." Its actual date is now placed 
later by some centuries. 

"I write a true history of his warfare," says 
the venerable churchman, and then goes on to 
describe the battle. He wrote in Latin.] 

When this famous emperor had thus recovered 
Spain to the glory of our Lord and saint James, 
after a season he returned to Pampeluna, and 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 39 

encamped there with his army. At that time 
there were in Saragossa two Saracen kings, 
Marsir, and Beligard his brother, sent by the 
soldan of Babylon from Persia to Spain. Charles 
had subjugated them to his dominion, and they 
served him upon all occasions, but only with 
feigned fidelity. 

For the king having sent Ganalon to require 
them to be baptized and to pay tribute, they sent 
him thirty horse-load of gold, silver and jewels; 
forty load of wine likewise for his soldiers, and 
a thousand beautiful Saracen women. But at the 
same time they covenanted with Ganalon to betray 
the king's army into their hands for twenty horse- 
load of gold and silver: which wicked compact 
being accordingly made, Ganalon returned to the 
king with intelligence that Marsir would embrace 
the Christian faith, and was preparing to follow 
him into France to receive baptism there, and 
would then hold all Spain under oath of fealty to 
him. 

Charles, confiding in Ganalon, now began his 
march through the pass of the mountains, in his 
return to France, giving the command of the rear 
to his nephew, Orlando, count of Mans and lord 
of Guienne, and to Oliver, count of Auvergne, 
ordering them to keep the station of Ronceval 
with thirty thousand men, whilst he passed it with 
the rest of the army. 

When Charles had safely passed the narrow 
strait that leads into Gascony between the moun- 
tains, with twenty thousand of his warriors, Tur- 
pin, the archbishop, and Ganalon, and while the 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 41 

halves fell different ways. Marsir and his com- 
panions then fled in all directions, but Orlando, 
trusting in the divine aid, rushed forward and, 
overcoming all opposition, slew Marsir on the spot. 
By this time every one of the Christians was slain 
and Orlando himself sorely wounded in five places 
by lances, and grievously battered likewise with 
stones. Beligard, seeing Marsir had fallen, re- 
tired from the field with the rest of the Saracens. 
Orlando wandering came to the foot of the 
pass and alighting from his steed stretched him- 
self on the ground beneath a tree, near a block 
of marble that stood erect in the meadows of 
Eonceval. Here drawing his sword Durenda, 
which signifies a hard blow, a sword of exquisite 
workmanship, fine temper, and resplendent bright- 
ness, which he would sooner have lost his arm 
than part with, as he held it in his hand, regard- 
ing it earnestly, he addressed it in these words: 
"0 sword of unparalleled brightness, excellent 
dimensions, admirable temper, and hilt of the 
whitest ivory, decorated with a splendid cross of 
gold, topped by a berylline apple, engraved with 
the sacred name of God, endued with keenness 
and every other virtue, who now shall wield thee 
in battle? Who shall call thee master! He that 
possessed thee was never conquered, never 
daunted at the foe ; phantoms never appalled him. 
Aided by Omnipotence, with thee did he destroy 
the Saracen, exalt the faith of Christ, and acquire 
consummate glory. Oft hast thou vindicated the 
blood of Jesus against pagans and heretics; oft 
hewed off the hand and foot of the robber, ful- 



42 STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 

filling divine justice. 0, happy sword, keenest of 
the keen ; never was one like thee ! He that made 
thee, made not thy fellow ! Not one escaped with 
his life from thy stroke! If the slothful, timid 
soldier should now possess thee, or the base 
Saracen, my grief would be unspeakable! Thus, 
then, do I prevent thy falling into their hands." 
He then struck the block of marble thrice, which 
cleft it in the midst and broke the sword in twain. 

He now blew a loud blast with his horn, to 
summon any Christian concealed in the adjacent 
woods to his assistance, or to recall his friends 
beyond the pass. This horn was endued with 
such power that all other horns were split by its 
sound, and it is said Orlando at that time blew 
it with such vehemence that he burst the veins 
and nerves of his neck. The sound reached the 
king's ears, who lay encamped in the valley still 
called by his name, about eight miles from 
Eonceval, towards Gascony, being carried so far 
by a supernatural power. Charles would have 
flown to his succor, but was prevented by 
Ganalon, who, conscious of Orlando's sufferings, 
insinuated it was usual with him to sound his 
horn on light occasions. "He is perhaps," said 
he, "pursuing some wild beast, and the sound 
echoes through the woods; it will be fruitless 
therefore to seek him." 0, wicked traitor, deceit- 
ful as Judas! What dost thou merit? 

Orlando now grew very thirsty, and cried for 
water to Baldwin, who just then approached him. 
But Baldwin, unable to find any, and seeing 
Orlando so near his end, blessed him and mount- 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 43 

ing his steed, galloped off for assistance to the 
army. Immediately after Theodoric came up 
and, bitterly grieving to see Orlando in this con- 
dition, bade him strengthen his soul by confessing 
his faith. The martyr of Christ then cast up his 
eyes to heaven and, after his confession and 
prayer, his soul winged its flight from his body 
and was borne by angels to Paradise, where he 
reigns in transcendent glory, united by his meri- 
torious deeds to the blessed choir of martyrs. 

What more shall we say? Whilst the soul of 
the blessed Orlando was leaving his body, I, Tur- 
pin, standing near the king in the valley of 
Charles, at the moment I was celebrating the 
mass of the dead, namely, on the 16th day of 
June, fell into a trance, and hearing the angelic 
choir sing aloud, I wondered what it might be. 
Now when they had ascended on high, behold there 
came after them a phalanx of terrible ones, like 
warriors returning from the spoil, bearing their 
prey. Presently I inquired of one of them what 
it meant, and was answered, "We are bearing the 
soul of Mar sir to hell, but yonder is Michael bear- 
ing the Horn- winder to heaven." When mass 
was over I told the king what I had seen; and 
whilst I was yet speaking, behold, Baldwin rode 
up on Orlando's horse, and related what had 
befallen him, and where he had left the hero in 
the agonies of death, beside a stone in the meadow 
at the foot of the mountain ; whereupon the whole 
army immediately marched back to Ronceval. 

The king himself first discovered the hero, 
lying in the form of a cross, and began to lament 



44 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

over him with bitter sighs and sobs, wringing his 
hands and tearing his hair and beard. "0 right 
arm of thy sovereign's body/' cried he, " honor 
of the French; sword of justice, inflexible spear, 
inviolable breast-plate, shield of safety ; a Samson 
in strength; brave, experienced soldier; scourge 
of the Saracens, valiant captain of our armies, 
why did I leave thee here to perish? How can I 
behold thee dead and not expire myself? With- 
out cease shall I lament over thee, as David did 
over Saul and Jonathan and his son Absalom." 
Thus did Charles mourn for Orlando. 

Early on the next day the army came to the 
fie]d of battle in Eonceval, and found the bodies 
of their friends, many of them still alive but 
mortally wounded. Oliver was lying on his face, 
pinioned to the ground in the form of a cross, 
and flead from the neck to his finger ends; pierced 
also with darts and javelins and bruised with 
clubs. 

The mourning was now dismal; every one 
wept for his friend, till the groves and valleys 
resounded with wailing. Charles solemnly vowed 
to pursue the pagans till he found them; and, 
marching in pursuit with his whole army, the sun 
stood still for three days till he overtook them on 
the banks of the Ebro, near Saragossa, feasting 
and rejoicing for their success. Attacking them 
valiantly, he then slew four thousand and dis- 
persed the rest. 

What further! We now returned to Eonceval, 
bearing with us the sick and wounded to the spot 
where Orlando fell. The emperor then made 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 45 

strict inquiry after the treachery of Ganalon, 
which began to be universally rumored about. 
Trial was ordained by single combat, Pinabel for 
Ganalon, and Theodoric for the accuser; when 
the latter gaining the victory, the treason was 
proved. Ganalon was now sentenced to be torn 
to pieces by four wild horses, which was accord- 
ingly executed. 

[Here ends the extract from Turpin. You see 
it is a highly vivacious and imaginative account 
of the famous defeat. But let us pass to the char- 
acter of Charlemagne as sketched by his secre- 
tary, Eginhard.] 

The king thought so much about the education 
of his children that he caused both sons and 
daughters early to be instructed in those liberal 
studies which attracted his own attention. As 
soon as his sons were old enough he caused them 
to ride on horseback, as was the Frankish custom, 
and to practise themselves in arms and hunting. 
He bade his daughters should learn wool- spin- 
ning and the use of the distaff and spindle, and be 
taught to employ themselves industriously in 
every virtuous occupation, that they might not be 
enervated by idleness. 

He was so careful in the bringing up of his 
sons and daughters that when at home he never 
dined without them, and they always accompanied 
him on his journeys. His daughters were very 
fair and he loved them passionately. Strange to 
say he would never consent that they should 
marry, either any of his own nation or foreigners ; 
but he kept them all at home and near his person 



46 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

at all times until his death, for he used to say that 
he could not deprive himself of their society. 

The person of Karl was large and robust, and 
of commanding stature, though not exceeding 
good proportions, for it appeared that he meas- 
ured seven feet in height. The top of his head 
was round, his eyes large and animated, his nose 
somewhat long, his hair white and his face bright 
and pleasant ; so that, whether standing or sitting, 
he showed very great presence and dignity. 
Al though his neck was thick and short, and his 
belly too prominent, still the fair proportions of 
his limbs concealed these defects. His walk was 
fine and the whole carriage of his body manly. 
His voice was clear, but not so strong as his 
frame would have led one to expect. 

He took constant exercise in riding and hunt-, 
ing, which was natural for a Frank, since scarcely 
any nation can be found to equal them in these 
pursuits. He also delighted in the natural warm 
baths, frequently exercising himself by swimming, 
in which he was very skilful, no one being able to 
outstrip him. 

He wore the dress of his native country — that 
is, the Frankish; on his body a linen shirt and 
linen drawers; then a tunic with a silver border, 
and stockings. He bound his legs with garters 
and wore shoes on his feet. In the winter he pro- 
tected his shoulders and chest with a vest made 
of the skins of otters and sable. He wore a blue 
cloak and was always girt with his sword, the hilt 
and belt being of gold and silver. Sometimes he 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 47 

wore a jeweled sword, but only on great festivals, 
or when receiving foreign ambassadors. 

In his eating and drinking he was temperate; 
more particularly so in his drinking, since he had 
the greatest abhorrence of drunkenness in any- 
body, but more especially in himself and his com- 
panions. He was unable to abstain from food 
for any length of time, and often complained that 
fasting was injurious to him. He very rarely 
feasted, only on great festive occasions when 
there were very large gatherings. The daily 
service at his table was only furnished with four 
dishes, in addition to the roast meat, which the 
hunters used to bring in on spits and of which 
he partook more freely than of any other food. 

While he was dining he listened to music or 
reading. History and the deeds of men of old 
used to be read. He was ready and fluent in 
speaking, and able to express himself with great 
clearness. He did not confine himself to his na- 
tive tongue,* but took pains to learn foreign lan- 
guages, acquiring such knowledge of Latin that 
he used to repeat his prayers in that language as 
well as in his own. Greek he could better under- 
stand than pronounce. In speaking he was so 
voluble that he almost gave one the impression 
of a chatterer. He was an ardent admirer of the 
liberal arts, and greatly revered their professors, 
whom he promoted to high honors. 

He was most devoted in providing for the poor, 
and in charitable gifts which the Greeks call alms- 
giving. In this matter he took thought not only 

* That is, Low German. 



48 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

for those of his own country and kingdom, but 
also for those who, he heard, were living in 
poverty beyond the seas, in Africa, Egypt, and 
Syria, at Carthage, Alexandria and Jerusalem, 
to whom he used to send money in compassion for 
their wants. It was on this account especially 
that he courted the friendship of foreign princes 
that he might be able to become a solace and 
comfort to those Christians who were living under 
their rule. 

[Upon his death in 814 his body was laid in a 
church in his beloved town of Aix-la-chapelle, and 
there it has lain at rest for more than a thousand 
years.] 



Deeds of Alfred the Great 

One of the greatest rulers England ever had is Alfred, called 
the Great. Much has been written of this king. One of the best 
accounts of him is a naive old chronicle first written in Latin by 
Asser, a monk of the monastery of saint David's. We know the 
chronicle in these days as Of the Deeds of Alfred. 

The biographer, Asser, won such fame from his native abilities 
and learning that he became a preceptor and companion of 
Alfred. Indeed he was at the king's court onward from the year 
884 — in which year Alfred was thirty-six years old. Whatever he 
may relate is of interest and some of his writings are important. 
They are of what he saw and what he was able to collect from 
hearsay and reading. Asser sets before our eyes, without any 
pretense or stage trappings, Alfred and the men about him, as 
they lived in those days and did their deeds. And also his 
accounts suggest to us what those men thought and believed. 
Now follows a part of his chronicle. 

DEEDS OF ALFRED THE GREAT 

IN the year of our Lord's Incarnation 849, at 
the royal town of Wantage, in the shire called 
Berkshire (drawing this name from berroc 
wood, wherein the box-tree groweth freely) was 
born the king of the Anglo-Saxons, Alfred. 

He was son to king Ethelwulf. Alfred's 
mother was named Osburga, a devout woman and 
keen of wit withal, great of heart as high in birth. 
She was child of Oslac, the far-famed cup-bearer 
of king Ethelwulf. 

In the year 851, the third of king Alfred's age, 
Ceorl, earl of Devonshire, with the men of Devon 
fought the heathen;* and the Christians won. 

* Heathen here and in the following pages from Asser's story means 
Danes, who were invading, harrying and settling in England during the 
whole of Alfred s lifetime. 

4- 49 



50 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

Also in the same year a mighty heathen host, with 
three hundred and fifty ships, came into the 
Thames' mouth and lay waste Canterbury, chief 
city of Kent, and eke London. And Beorhtulf, 
king of Mercia, who came forth to meet them with 
all his war-folk, they put to flight. And there- 
after the aforesaid heathen host passed over into 
Surrey, which lieth on Thames-bank southward, 
and from Kent westward. 

In a.d. 853, the fifth of king Alfred's age, 
king Ethelwulf did send his aforenamed son 
Alfred to Borne, and many a peer with him, full 
worshipfully, and many a commoner. Pope Leo* 
held there the Apostolic See; and he it was who 
anointed for king this young Alfred; yea, and 
confirmed him also, and received him for his own 
son by adoption. 

In the year 855, and the seventh of the afore- 
said Alfred, the worshipful king Ethelwulf did 
wend him to Rome with mickle worship, and with 
him he took Alfred, his son, to tarry there yet a 
second time, inasmuch as he loved him beyond 
all his other sons. And there he abode by the 
space of one whole year. 

I think that here should be shortly brought in 
the little that has come to my knowledge of the 
childhood and boyhood of my worshipful lord 
and master Alfred, king of the Anglo-Saxons. 

Beloved he was both by father and mother 
alike, with a great love, beyond all his brethren; 
yea, and the darling of all. As he grew on, both 

* Leo TV, distinguished by his efforts against the Saracens who were 
then raiding Italy much as the Danes were raiding England. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 51 

in childhood and boyhood, he so showed ever 
fairer than his brethren, and in looks and ways 
the lovesomest. From his very cradle above all, 
and amid all the distractions of this present life, 
his own high-sonled temper, and his high birth 
also, bred in him a longing after wisdom. Bnt, 
alas, through the unworthy carelessness of his 
parents and up-bringers, he abode even unto his 
twelfth year or more, unable to say his letters. 
Yet he learnt by heart many a Saxon lay, for, day 
and night would he hear them repeated by others, 
and no dull listener was he. A keen huntsman 
also, ever at work at woodcraft, and to good pur- 
pose. For he was peerless in the hunting field, 
ever the first and ever the luckiest ; in this, as in 
all else, supremely gifted by God. And this we 
have ourselves oft-times seen. 

It chanced then that one day his mother was 
showing to him and his brothers a book of Saxon 
songcraft which she had in her hand. "Which- 
ever of you," said she, "can soonest learn this 
volume, to him will I give it." At this word he, 
instinct with divine inspiration, and allured by 
the beauty of the opening letter of that book, 
answered his mother, forestalling his brethren, 
his elders in years but not in grace, and said: 
"Wilt thou indeed give one of us this book — and 
to him who can soonest understand and repeat it 
before thee?" Then did she smile for very joy, 
and "Yea," she said, "that I will." Then at 
once took he the book from her hand, went off to 
his master, and read it. And when it was read, 



52 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

he took it back to his mother, and said it all by 
heart. 

After this he learnt certain psalms and many 
prayers, which he collected into one book and ever 
bare about with him in his bosom (as I have seen 
with my own eyes) day and night, for the sake 
of prayer, amid all the changes and chances of 
this mortal life, and never parted therefrom. 

But alas, what he most longed for, a liberal 
education to wit, he attained not according to his 
will, for there were then no good teachers in the 
whole realm of Wessex. And oft would he affirm, 
with many a complaint and many a sigh from his 
inmost heart, that amid all the hindrances of his 
mortal life this was the greatest, that at the 
period when he had both years and leisure and 
capacity for learning, he had no masters. He 
hath ever continued in this heartfelt longing, yea, 
even until now he ceaseth not to yearn for it, and 
will, as I believe, unto the very last day of his life. 

In the year 868, the twentieth of the age of 
Alfred, the aforesaid worshipful king Alfred then 
holding but secondary rank, wooed and wed a wife 
from Mercia, high of birth, the daughter of 
Ethelred, alderman. And her mother's name 
was Eadburgh, of the blood-royal of Mercia, 
whom I myself oft-times saw with my own eyes 
for not a few years before her decease, a venerable 
lady in sooth. 

In the year 871 and the twenty- second of the 
age of king Alfred, did the heathen host, hateful to 
tell, leave the East- Angles, and hie them to the 
realm of the West-Saxons, and came to a town 



STORIES FROM OLD CHROxNICLES 53 

royal, Beading, which lieth on the bank of Thames- 
stream. And on the third day of their coming 
thither then rode forth their chiefs, and many 
with them, to harry the land. 

Then did Ethel wulf, alderman of the land of 
Berkshire, with his comrades cross their path at 
the place called Englefield ; and there fought both 
sides full valiantly, and long did either stand 
their ground. Of the two heathen captains the 
one was slain and the most part of that host laid 
low. Yet four days after this hap there came 
Ethelred, king of the West-Saxons, and Alfred 
his brother, and joined forces, and gathered them 
a host, and drew nigh unto Reading, cutting down 
and overthrowing whomsoever of the heathen 
they found without the stronghold, and made their 
way even unto the gates. No less keen in light 
were the heathen. Out they burst from every 
gate like wolves; and then waxed long the fight, 
and ever more deadly. But, alas, alas, in the end 
did the Christians turn their backs, and the 
heathen gat them the victory. 

Stirred by woe and shame, the Christians after 
yet another four days went forth to battle against 
the aforesaid host with their whole strength and 
with a good will. Alfred with his men came to 
the field. Nor wonder was it; for his brother, 
king Ethelred, was still in his tent, fixed in prayer, 
hearing mass. For ever would he say that never 
while he lived would he turn his back on divine 
service. 

The king tarrying long in prayer, Alfred, then 
second in command, could stand the advance of 



54 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

the foe no longer. Needs must lie either draw 
him back from the battle, or charge the enemy ere 
yet his brother came into the fray. And at last 
in manly wise charged he, with the rush of a wild 
boar, leading his Christian forces against the foe- 
man's hosts. 

But here those who know not the place must 
be told that it was no fair field of battle, for 
the heathen had seized the higher ground, and 
the Christian battle-line was charging uphill. 
There was also in that same place a lone thorn- 
tree and a low, which we ourselves have beheld. 
Around this, then, came the lines together, with 
a mighty shouting, in warrior wise, the one side 
bent upon all mischief, the other to fight for life 
and land and dear ones. This way and that 
swayed the battle for a while ; valiant was it, and 
all too deadly, till so God ordered it that the 
heathen could stand against the Christian charge 
no longer. Most part of their force were slain, 
and with all shame they betook them to flight. 

And when this fray was lost and won came 
there from over sea yet another heathen host and 
joined the horde. And in the same year Ethelred, 
after ruling his realm well and worshipfully amid 
many a trouble, went the way of all flesh. Then 
did our Alfred (who until then, while his brother 
lived, had been in the second place) take upon 
him, so soon as ever his brother was dead, the 
sway of the whole kingdom, by the grant of God 
and with all goodwill of the land-folks one and 
all. For even while this brother was yet alive 
might he eftsoon have won it would he have taken 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 55 

it, and that with the assent of all men ; seeing that 
both in wisdom and eke in all good ways was he 
better than all his brethren put together — yea, 
and in especial a surpassing warrior. 

Then began he to reign, as it were unwillingly. 
For it seemed unto him that never might he, all 
alone with but God for aid, endure so grievous a 
stress and strain of heathendom. 

So reigned he one full month. Thereafter on 
the hill called Wilton, on the southern bank of the 
river Willy, fought he with but few behind him 
against the whole heathen host, a fight all too 
unequal. Up and down most part of the day 
raged the fight full stoutly. Then were the eyes 
of the heathen opened and they saw to the full 
their peril. And therewith bore they up no longer 
against their unremitting foe, but turned their 
backs and fled away. But, alas, through the rash- 
ness of the pursuit they tricked us. On they 
came again to battle and won the victory. 

The Saxons as a people were all but worn out 
by eight battles in one and the self-same year 
against the heathen. How many thousands of 
heathen were slain in these never-ending raids, 
God alone knoweth. In that same year did the 
Saxons make peace with the heathen on this one 
condition — that they should depart from them. 
And this they fulfilled. 

[Upon the following year, however, and many 
subsequent years, the Danes continued to harry 
the land-dwellers.] 

In the year 877, the heathen, as the autumn 
tide drew on, in part sat them down at Exeter, 



56 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

and in part went back to raid in Mercia. Day 
by day the number of the miscreants grew ever 
larger, so that were thirty thousand slain in one 
day others would take their place twice-told. 
Then bade king Alfred make barks throughout 
the realm, and keels, that is long ships, that he 
might meet the foes in sea-fight, as they came in. 
Therein embarked he adventurers and let them 
keep the water-way. But himself hied he with all 
speed to Exeter, where the heathen were winter- 
ing, and shut them up in that city, and besieged 
them. 

On his seamen also laid he straight command 
that they should suffer no supplies to reach the 
foe by way of the Narrow Seas. 

Then met there his seamen one hundred and 
twenty ships, laden with armed warriors, coming 
to the help of their kinsfolk. And when the king's 
officers found ships thus filled with heathen war- 
men, then leapt they to arms and boarded the 
savages like men. But the heathen, who now for 
nearly a month had been wave-tossed and ship- 
worn, vainly returned the onset. So that in a 
moment their line of battle was shattered and 
sunken, and they perished one and all. 

In the year 878, the oft-mentioned host left 
Exeter and came to Chippenham, and there they 
wintered. And many of the country-folk drave 
they, by force of arms, and through need and fear, 
to sail beyond the seas, and for the most part, 
brought they under their sway all that dwelt in 
that land. 

At that time Alfred, with a few of his lords and 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 57 

some warriors also, dwelt in the woods and fens 
of Somerset — a life of sore trouble and unrest. 
For he had naught whereon to live save only what 
he might carry off, either by force or stealth, from 
the heathen ; or even from the Christians who had 
bowed to their sway. 

And once in the house of one of his cowherds, 
it chanced that one day a country- wife (the wife 
indeed of that same cowherd) was making ready 
to bake cakes. And the king sat there by the 
hearth, and would make ready his bow and arrows 
and other war-gear. But when that unhappy 
woman saw that the cakes she had put before the 
fire were burning, she hasted and ran and moved 
them, scolding the while our all-conquering king 
and saying: 

"Fie fellow! 
And why so slack to move the cakes? And can 'at not see them 

burn? 
Thou'rt all too glad to eat them up, when they are done to a 

turn." 

Little thought that unlucky woman that this 
was king Alfred, who waged so many wars against 
the heathen, and won over them so many victories. 

Finally the Christians, rather than endure 
such utter lack and need — stirred up, moreover, 
by God — deemed it better by far either to conquer 
or to die. At dawn of day brake they out all 
suddenly with the dash of a wild boar upon the 
foeman, and overthrow them utterly. Down 
went the king; down went his men, almost all; 
and but few they were who got off and fled them 
away to their ships. 

And there gat they no small spoil, wherein 



58 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

they took moreover that banner which men call 
the Eaven. For they say that the daughters of 
Lodbrock wove that banner, and made it wholly 
ready between morn and night in one single day. 
They say too that in every fight, wherein that 
flag went before them, if they were to win, the 
raven in the midst thereof would seem to flutter 
as it were alive. But were it their doom to be 
worsted, then would it droop still and lifeless. 
And oft was this proved. 

In the same year, after Easter, did king Alfred 
and a few of his comrades make them a strong- 
hold at a spot called Athelney. And from that 
stronghold ever waged he, with his thanes and 
vassals of Somerset, tireless war against the 
heathen yoke. Next in the seventh week after 
Easter rode he to Egbert's stone. And there met 
him all the whole folk of Somersetshire and Wilt- 
shire, and all the folk of Hampshire, such as had 
not, through fear of the heathen, sailed beyond 
seas. Aud when they saw the king, they were 
filled with joy untold, and they hailed him as one 
alive again from the dead ; — as, after such mighty 
troubles, was full meet. And there encamped 
they one night. 

And at peep of dawn did the king rouse the 
camp, and come to a place called Leigh, and there 
one night he encamped. And next day, very early 
in the morning, he advanced his banners, and 
came to a place called Edington in Wiltshire. 
And there against the whole heathen host formed 
he firm and fought a deadly fight. Stoutly and 
long kept they at it; and, by God's help, in the end 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 59 

he got the victory, and laid low the heathen with 
a very great slaughter, and followed hard npon 
their flight, with blow on blow, even unto their 
stronghold. And everything without the strong- 
hold, men to wit, and horses, and herds, caught 
he and took, and the men he slew at once; and 
before the gates of the heathen stronghold did he 
and all his host take camp, like men. 

And when he had tarried fourteen days, the 
heathen, an-hungered and a-cold and a-dread 
and, at last, hopeless, became sore afraid, and 
begged for peace, on this troth, that the king 
should name and take from them such sureties as 
he would, giving them none in return. Never 
before had they made peace with any one after 
this sort. 

And when he had heard their message, the 
king, stirred thereto by his own kind heart, named 
and took from them such sureties as he would ; and 
when he had them, the heathen sware as well that 
they would depart from his realm with all the 
speed they might. Yea, and Guthrum, their king, 
pledged him to become a Christian, and to take 
upon him baptism at the hand of king Alfred. 
And all this he and his fulfilled, even as they had 
promised. 

Now then, to return to the point wherefrom I 
have digressed, I will strive shortly and in few 
words to get in a very little about the life and 
ways and right conversation of Alfred, my lord, 
king of the Anglo-Saxons. 

In Mercia, even when he wedded the wor- 
shipful bride of noble Mercian kin, even while the 



60 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

marriage rite was being done, solemnly and with 
all honor, amid countless folk of either sex, after 
long feasting both by day and night, even then 
was he seized, all at once, before all the throng, 
with a sudden pain, beyond all telling, and beyond 
all leech-craft. For it was a thing past the skill 
of all who were on the spot, and eke of all who 
have seen it from that day even to this. And this, 
alas, is the worst of all, that for such a length of 
time — from his twentieth to his fortieth year or 
more — it should have gone on without a break, 
all these years. Whence came such woe and 
pain! Many there were who fancied that this 
thing was brought about by the evil influence of 
the adoring gaze of the throng round about him ; 
others that it was by the malice of the devil, who 
ever grudgeth at the good; others by some 
unwonted kind of fever. 

But therefrom God granted him relief, on a 
certain day, when he came into Cornwall to hunt, 
and turned him aside to pray in a church there. 
When his prayer was done, he took up his journey 
again; and, but a little after, felt that he was 
healed of that plague so that it was wholly done 
away. 

The king, amid his wars, and the constant 
hindrances of his worldly duties, yea, and the 
attacks of the heathen, and his own daily attacks 
of illness, never slacked nor stayed in his tend- 
ance on the helm of the kingdom and in his prac- 
tice of all woodcraft; nor yet in his teaching of 
all his goldsmiths, and his craftsmen, and his 
falconers, and his huntsmen ; nor in his construe- 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 61 

tion of buildings, stately and costly beyond all the 
elder wont, by new plans of his own; nor in his 
recitation of Saxon books; nor, most of all, in 
himself learning by heart Saxon songs, with all 
diligence and to the utmost of his power, and 
bidding others do the like. 

Great, too, was his diligence and great his 
bounty in his alms-deeds which he did, both 
towards them of his own land and toward in- 
comers from all nations. Kind of speech above 
all was he, beyond compare, and free of wit 
toward all men. And with all his mind did he 
throw himself into the seeking out of things 
unknown. 

Fellow-workers, also, of his good purpose, 
who might help him in the wisdom he longed for, 
the attaining of his heart's desire, would he get 
whensoever he could. And thus, like as the cun- 
ning bee riseth early in the summer morning from 
the cells of the hive and cleaveth swiftly the path- 
less air, and settleth on many a divers plant — 
moss or fruit or flowret — and proveth that which 
pleaseth her most, and beareth it back home, with 
all foresight, so sought he from abroad that which 
he had not at home, that is, in his own realm. 

And by all their learning and wisdom the 
king's longing grew ever the greater and slacked 
not. For day and night, whensoever he had 
ought of leisure, were books read before him. 
And thus gained he knowledge of almost every 
book in the world. 

And what shall I say more? For the time 
would fail me to tell how oft he went forth against 



62 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

the heathen to war ; how incessant were his cares 
of kingship; how day by day had he embassies 
from the folk that dwell by the Tyrrhenian* Sea, 
and unto the uttermost parts of Ireland (yea, I 
have seen and read letters directed unto him by 
Abel, Patriarch of Jerusalem, and gifts withal) ; 
of his restoring towns and cities, yea, and build- 
ing such where none were before; of the palaces 
of gold and silver, beyond compare, set up under 
his teaching; of the halls and chambers, both of 
wood and stone, right royally and wondrously 
wrought, by his bidding; of the towns-royal 
moved, stone by stone, from their ancient sites, 
and planted in fitter spots at his kingly command. 

And, besides that pain, great trouble and vexa- 
tion had he with his own folk, who of their own 
will were ready to take little or no pains for the 
common need of the realm. All his servants of 
high degree with the utmost care and wisdom did 
he bend and bind to his will and to the common 
weal, and by gentle teaching, by kind attentions, 
by exhortation, by command, and in the last resort 
by sharp punishment of the disobedient and by 
showing in every way his loathing of their low- 
bred folly and obstinacy. 

When our king had set all this in order he 
minded him of that verse of Holy Scripture which 
saith, "He who would give alms must first give 
himself." Then vowed he that the half of the 
service of his mind and body, so far as his weak- 
ness and power and sufficiency would permit, 



* Mediterranean. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 63 

would he, by day and night alike, of his own free 
will and with all his might, render unto God. 

But inasmuch as by night he could not rightly 
tell the hours, because of the darkness, and by 
day because of the constant showers and clouds, 
he set himself to think out how he might by some 
fixed rule and without hesitation, keep this vow 
changelessly, even unto death. And when he had 
thought this over for a while, he found out at 
length a useful device, and of good wit. Then 
bade he his chaplains bring him wax enough, and 
weigh it out in the balance against pennies. And 
when so much wax had been measured out as 
weighed seventy-two pennies, he bade his chap- 
lains make thereof six candles of equal weight, 
and that each candle should have twelve inches 
marked thereon. So when this device had been 
hit upon, those six candles were lighted and burnt 
without fail day and night throughout the twenty- 
four hours. 

Sometimes, however, these candles would not 
last throughout a whole day and night, even unto 
the same hour at which they had been lighted the 
evening before; and this through the draught of 
wind which, day and night, ceaslessly blew in 
through the doors and windows of the churches, 
and caused the candles to burn away over quickly 
before completing their hour. Therefore thought 
he out how he might hinder this draught, and 
found a plan, like a wise and cunning craftsman, 
and bade make of wood and horn a full fair lan- 
tern. For cowhorn is white, and, when planed 
down to a thin sheet, as transparent as glass. 



64 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

And when this wonderful lantern of wood and 
horn was completed, a candle set therein gave as 
much light inside as it were outside, and was let 
and hindered by never a draught, for he bade a 
horn door to be made to the mouth of the lantern. 
By this device, then, the six candles, one after the 
other, burnt without stay for the twenty-four 
hours, neither more nor less. Now when all this 
was wholly set in order, he was fain to keep the 
half of his service for God, according to his vow ; 
nay, even more, so far as his power and sufficiency 
(to say nothing of his infirmity) would permit. 

At great length, moreover, did he look into the 
truth of the judgments he gave, and this chiefly 
through his care for the poor, to whom, amid the 
other duties of this life, he ever took special heed. 
For in all the whole realm, save him alone, the 
poor had few or none to champion them. For all 
the high and mighty of the land gave thought to 
the things of this world rather than the things of 
God. Yea, more greedy was each of his own 
worldly gain than for the common weal. 

In deciding a case, as in all things else, our 
king was a most keen searcher out of truth. For 
nearly every sentence given throughout the whole 
realm, in his absence, did he himself revise with 
all his wit. And if he perceived in those sen- 
tences ought of injustice, then would he mildly 
summon the judges before him, either in person 
or by some accredited friend, and would ask them 
why they had judged thus wrongfully. Was it 
through malice ? Was it for love or fear of any ? 
Was it for hate of any? Was it through greed of 



STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 65 

money? Then would he say, "Much truly do I 
wonder. I bid you, therefore, either at once to 
lay down that authority and office which ye hold, 
or set yourselves to much more earnest study of 
wise teaching. Such is my behest.' ' 

In the year 900 Alfred the Truthteller, in war 
ever the sturdiest of heroes, noblest of the kings 
of Wessex, prudent and religious and wise beyond 
all, after reigning twenty-nine years and a half 
over all England, to the grievous woe of his folk 
went the way of all flesh. And in the royal city of 
Winchester was he buried meetly, with all royal 
honors, in the church of St. Peter. And there 
standeth his tomb wrought of marble porphyry, 
most precious. 



King Canute and the Sea 

This famous story of an able old English king is from the 
chronicle of Henry of Huntingdon. Some writers, and readers as 
well, have doubted the truth of the tale. There are excellent rea- 
sons for believing it true. Our chronicler of it lived within sixty 
years of the death of Canute,* and, as he takes pains to tell us, he 
collected information from eye-witnesses : "I have heard in my 
youth some very old persons give an account — " he declares of 
another story. 

The simplicity of Canute's test of his royal power, and the 
directness of his rebuke to flattering courtiers in measuring the 
strength of his word over the sea, is not unfitted to those days. 

KING CANUTE AND THE SEA 

KING CANUTE died at Shaftesbury after 
a reign of twenty years, and was buried 
at Winchester in the old minster. A few 
particulars of his grandeur must be set down, for 
before him there was never so powerful a king of 
England. He was lord of the whole of Denmark, 
England and Norway; as also of Scotland. 

Besides the various wars in which he gained 
great glory, his nobleness and greatness of mind 
were eminently displayed on several occasions. 
Once, for example, when during his journey to 
Eome, he reduced the oppressive tolls exacted 
from pilgrims on the roads through France, by 
redeeming one half of them at his private ex- 
pense. Another time when, at the summit of 
his power, he ordered a seat to be placed for him 
on the seashore when the tide was coming in. 

*Canute died in 1085, and in the fortieth year of his age, 

66 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 67 

Thus seated, lie shouted to the flowing sea, "Thou, 
too, art subject to my command, as the land on 
which I am seated is mine; and no one has ever 
resisted my commands with impunity. I com- 
mand you then not to flow over my land, nor pre- 
sume to wet the feet and the robe of your lord. ' ' 

The tide, however, continuing to rise as usual, 
dashed over his feet and legs without respect to 
his royal person. Then the king leaped back- 
ward saying, "Let all men know how empty and 
worthless is the power of kings. There is none 
worthy of the name but He whom heaven, earth 
and sea obey by eternal laws." 

From henceforth king Canute never wore his 
crown of gold, but placed it for a lasting memorial 
to the honor of God, through whose mercy may 
the soul of Canute, the king, enjoy everlasting 
rest. 



The Famous Story of King 
Duncan and King Macbeth 

The story of Macbeth of Scotland, as you here read it, is 
from the Eistorie of Holinshed, our old chronicler and friend 
of Elizabeth 's day whom you have met in some of the foregoing 
tales. Critical historians of our day hardly admit this story as 
true in every way. They do say, however, that we may believe 
that Duncan and Macbeth and Malcolm lived in those old times, 
and that Macbeth was a successful general. We may also under- 
stand that Macbeth asserted the independence of the northern 
Celts against Duncan, who was accused of cottoning to the Saxons; 
that Macbeth reigned an able king some seventeen years; and 
that he finally fell in a battle with Malcolm aided by the hated 
Saxons. The gruesome witches and their boiling cauldron our 
historians of to-day cut from our faith. Still the witches are 
none the less wonderful — and men of the old time believed in 
them and in their prophecy! 

If you read this old story jointly with Shakespeare's splendid 
poem, you will see the lines upon which our mighty poet wrote 
his drama. It is possible that a copy of the very edition of 
Holinshed from which we take this tale lay before him and gave 
him the story's outline as he wrote — the Eistorie having been 
published in 1587 and the play composed in 1606 or 1607. 

KING DUNCAN AND MACBETH 

NOW Malcolm, king of Scotland, was mur- 
dered by a conspiracy of the Scotch nobles 
in the year 1034. This king had two 
daughters, the one Beatrice, who married the 
thane of the Isles and became the mother of 
Duncan, and Doada, who married the thane of 
Glamis and whose child was Macbeth. Macbeth 
grew to be a valiant gentleman, and one that, if 
he had not been somewhat cruel of nature, might 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 69 

have been thought worthy the government of a 
realm. On the other part Duncan was so soft 
and gentle that the people wished the inclinations 
and manners of these two cousins to have been 
so tempered, and interchangeably bestowed be- 
twixt them, that where the one had too much of 
clemency and the other of cruelty, the mean virtue 
between these two extremes might have reigned 
by indifferent partition. So should Duncan have 
proved a worthy king, and Macbeth an excellent 
captain. The beginning of Duncan's reign was 
very quiet and peaceable, without any notable 
trouble ; but after it was perceived how negligent 
he was in punishing offenders, many misruled 
persons took occasion thereof to trouble the peace 
and quiet state of the commonwealth by seditious 
commotions which first had their beginnings in 
this wise. 

About the year 1040, in the sixth year of the 
reign of Duncan, Banquo, thane of Lochaber, of 
whom the house of Stuarts is descended, when 
gathering the finances due the king, was assailed 
by a number of rebels, spoiled of the money, and 
had much ado to get away with life after he had 
received sundry grievous wounds. Yet escaping 
their hands, after he was somewhat recovered of 
his hurts, and was able to ride, he repaired to the 
court, where, making his complaint to the king in 
most earnest wise, he puchased at length that 
the offenders were sent for by a sergeant at arms, 
to appear and make answer unto such matters 
as should be laid to their charge; but they, aug- 
menting their mischievous act with a more wicked 



70 STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 

deed, after they had misused the messenger with 
sundry kinds of reproaches, they finally slew him. 
Duncan, calling his nobles to a council, asked of 
them their best advice for the subduing of the 
leader of the rebels, Macdonald, and the mighty 
power of men that had come to him from his 
subtle persuasions and allurements, not only out 
of the western isles, but also out of Ireland no 
small number of Kernes and Galloglasses in hope 
of spoil. 

In this council, as ever happeneth, were sun- 
dry opinions uttered according to each man's 
skill. At length Macbeth, speaking much against 
the king's softness and overmuch slackness in 
punishing offenders, promised, if the charge were 
committed unto him and Banquo, so to order the 
matter that the rebels should be shortly quite 
put down, and that not so much as one of them 
should be found within the country to make 
resistance. And even so it came to pass. For 
being sent forth with a new power, at his enter- 
ing into Lochaber, the fame of his coming put the 
enemies in such fear that a great number of them 
stole secretly away from their captain, who never- 
the less, inforced thereto, gave battle to Macbeth. 
But being overcome and fleeing for refuge into a 
castle, within which his wife and children were 
inclosed, at length when he saw how he could 
neither defend the hold any longer, nor yet upon 
surrender be suffered to depart with his life, he 
first slew his wife and children, and lastly him- 
self, lest if he had yielded simply, he should have 
been executed in most cruel wise for an example 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 71 

to others. Macbeth entering the castle by the 
gates, as then set open, found the body of Mac- 
donald, which then he beheld, remitting no piece 
of his cruel nature with that pitiful sight, he 
caused the head to be cut off and set upon a pole's 
end, and so sent as a present to the king. The 
headless trunk he commanded to be hung up upon 
a high pair of gallows. 

Them of the western isles Macbeth fined at 
great sums of money ; and those whom he took in 
Lochaber, being come thither to bear arms against 
the king, he put to execution. Hereupon the 
islandmen conceived a deadly grudge toward 
Macbeth, calling him a covenant-breaker, a bloody 
tyrant, a cruel murderer of them whom the king's 
mercy had pardoned. Thus was justice and law 
restored again to the old accustomed course by 
the diligent means of Macbeth. 

Immediately thereupon the king of Norway, 
who had arrived in Fife to subdue the realm of 
Scotland, was mightily defeated by the Scots 
under the leadership of Macbeth and Banquo, and 
his puissant army destroyed. 

Now shortly after these battles happened a 
strange and uncouth wonder, which afterwards 
was the cause of much trouble in the realm of 
Scotland, as ye shall hear. 

It fortuned as Macbeth and Banquo journeyed 
towards Fores, where the king then lay, they went 
sporting by the way together without other com- 
pany, save only themselves, and passing through 
the woods and fields there suddenly met them 
three women in strange and wild apparel, resem- 



72 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

bling creatures of elder world, whom as they 
attentively beheld, wondering much at the sight, 
the first of the women spoke and said : 

"All hail, Macbeth, thane of Glamis! ,, — for 
he had lately entered into that dignity and office 
by the death of his father. 

The second of them said: "Hail, Macbeth, 
thane of Cawdor ! ' ' 

But the third said, "All hail, Macbeth, that 
hereafter shalt be king of Scotland !" 

Then Banquo: "What manner of women," 
said he, "are you that seem so little favorable 
unto me, whereas to my fellow here, besides high 
offices, ye assign also the kingdom, appointing 
forth nothing for me at all?" "Yes," saith the 
first of them, "we promise greater benefits unto 
thee than unto him, for he shall reign indeed, but 
with an unlucky end; neither shall he leave any 
child behind him to succeed in his place; where 
contrarily thou indeed shalt not reign at all, but 
of thee those shall be born which shall govern the 
Scottish kingdom by long order of descent." 

Herewith the aforesaid women vanished im- 
mediately out of sight. At the first this was 
reputed but some vain, fantastical illusion by 
Macbeth and Banquo, insomuch that Banquo 
would call Macbeth in jest, king of Scotland, and 
Macbeth, again, would likewise in sport, call Ban- 
quo the father of many kings. 

But afterwards the common opinion was, that 
these women were either the weird sisters, that 
is, as ye would say, the goddesses of destiny, or 
else some nymphs or fairies, indued with knowl- 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 73 

edge of prophecy by their necromantic science, 
because everything came to pass as they had 
spoken. 

For shortly after, the thane of Cawdor being 
condemned at Fores of treason committed against 
the king, his lands, livings and offices were by the 
king's liberality given to Macbeth. 

The same night after, at supper, Banquo jested 
and said: 

"Now, Macbeth, thou hast obtained those 
things which the two former sisters prophesied, 
there remaineth only for thee to purchase that 
which the third said should come to pass." 
Whereupon Macbeth, revolving the thing in his 
mind, began even then to devise how he might 
attain to the kingdom. But yet he thought with 
himself that he must tarry a time, for Providence 
to advance him thereto, as it had come to pass in 
his former preferment. 

But shortly after it chanced that king Duncan, 
having two sons, made the elder of them, called 
Malcolm, prince of Cumberland, as it were thereby 
to appoint him his successor in the kingdom. 
Macbeth sore troubled herewith, for he saw by 
this act his hope sore hindered, where, by the old 
laws of the realm the ordinance was that if he 
that should succeed were not of able age to take 
the charge upon himself, he that was of next of 
blood unto him should be admitted, began to take 
counsel how he might usurp the kingdom by force. 
He had just quarrel so to do, as he took the mat- 
ter, for that Duncan did what in him lay to defraud 



74 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

him of all manner of title and claim which he 
might in time to come pretend unto the crown. 

The words of the three weird sisters also 
greatly encouraged him hereunto. But especially 
his wife lay sore upon him to attempt the thing, 
for she was very ambitious, burning in unquench- 
able desire to bear the name of queen. At length, 
therefore, communicating his intent to his trusty 
friends, amongst whom Banquo was the chiefest, 
upon confidence of their promised aid, he slew 
king Duncan. Then having a company about him 
of such as were privy to his enterprise, he caused 
himself to be proclaimed king, and forthwith went 
unto Scone where he received the investiture of 
the kingdom according to the accustomed manner. 

The body of Duncan was conveyed to Colmes- 
kill, and there laid in a sepulcher amongst his pre- 
decessors. His sons, for fear of their lives, 
knowing that Macbeth would seek to slay them 
for his more sure confirmation in the kingdom, 
fled to other countries. 

Macbeth, after the departure of Duncan's 
sons, used great liberality towards the nobles of 
the realm, thereby to win their favor; and when 
he saw that no man went about to trouble him, he 
set his whole intention to maintain justice, and 
to punish all enormities and abuses which had 
chanced through the feeble and slothful adminis- 
tration of Duncan. And to bring his purpose the 
better to pass without any trouble, or great busi- 
ness, he devised a subtle wile to bring all offenders 
unto justice, soliciting sundry of his liege people, 
with high rewards, to challenge such as most 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 75 

oppressed the commons, to come at a day and 
place appointed, to fight single combats within 
barriers, in trial of their accusations. 

When these thieves, barrators* and other 
oppressors of the innocent people were come to 
dare battle in this wise, they were straightway 
apprehended by armed men, and trussed up in 
halters on gibbets, according as they had justly 
deserved. Those that were left were punished 
and tamed in such sort that many years after 
thefts were little heard of, the people enjoying 
the blissful benefit of good peace and tranquility. 

Macbeth showing himself thus a most diligent 
punisher of all injuries and wrongs attempted by 
any disordered persons within his realm, was 
accounted the sure defense and buckler of inno- 
cent people. And he applied his whole endeavor 
to cause young men to exercise themselves in 
virtuous manners. He caused to be slain sundry 
thanes, as of Caithness, Sutherland, Boss, because 
through their seditious attempts much trouble 
daily rose in the realm. 

To be brief, such were the worthy doings, and 
princely acts of this Macbeth in the administra- 
tion of the realm, that if he had attained 
thereunto by rightful means, and continued in 
uprighteousness of justice as he began, to the end 
of his reign, he might well have been numbered 
amongst the most noble princes that any where 
had reigned. He made many wholesome laws 
and statutes for the public weal. 

In short, Macbeth governed the realm for the 

* Those who excite and encourage lawsuits. 



76 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

space of ten years in equal justice. But this was 
but a counterfeit zeal of equity showed by him to 
purchase the favor of the people. Shortly after 
he began to show what he was, instead of equity 
practising cruelty. 

For the prick of conscience, as it chanceth ever 
to such as attain to any estate by unrighteous 
means, caused him ever to fear lest he should be 
served of the same cup he had ministered to his 
predecessor. The words also of the three weird 
sisters would not out of his mind, which as they 
promised him the kingdom, so likewise did they 
promise it at the same time unto the posterity of 
Banquo. 

Macbeth willed, therefore, the same Banquo, 
with his son named Fleance, to come to a supper 
that he had prepared for them, which was indeed, 
as he had devised, present death. For he hired 
certain murderers to execute that deed, appoint- 
ing them to meet with Banquo and his son without 
the palace, as they returned to their lodgings, and 
there to slay them so that he would not have his 
house slandered, but that in time to come he might 
clear himself if anything were laid to his charge 
upon any that might arise. 

It chanced that by the benefit of a dark night, 
though the father was slain, the son by the help 
of almighty God reserving him to better fortune 
escaped, and afterwards having some inkling how 
his life was sought no less than his father's, to 
avoid further peril fled to Wales. 

After the slaughter of Banquo nothing pros- 
pered with Macbeth. For in manner every man 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 77 

began to doubt his own life and durst not appear 
in the king's presence. And even as there were 
many that stood in fear of him, so likewise stood 
he in fear of many, in such sort that he began to 
make those away by one surmised cavilation* or 
other, whom he thought most able to work him 
any displeasure. 

At length he found such sweetness in putting 
his nobles to death, that his thirst after blood 
might in no wise be satisfied. For ye must con- 
sider that he won double profit (as he thought), 
for first they were rid out of the way whom he 
feared, and then again his coffers were enriched 
by their goods which were forfeited to his use. 
And to the end that he might the more cruelly 
oppress his subjects with all tyrant-like wrongs, 
he builded a strong castle on the top of a high hill 
called Dunsinane, ten miles from Perth, on such 
a proud height that standing there alone a man 
might behold near all the counties of Angus, Fife, 
Stormoud and Ernedale, as it were lying be- 
neath him. 

This castle put the realm to great charges 
before it was finished, for all the stuff necessary 
to the building could not be brought up the hill 
without much toil and business. But Macbeth, 
being much determined to have the work go for- 
ward, caused the thanes of each shire to come and 
help towards that building, each man his course 
about. 

At the last, when the turn fell to Macduff, 
thane of Fife, to build his part, he sent workmen 

* Objection and criticism. 



78 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

with all needful provision, and commanded them 
to show snch diligence in every behalf that no 
occasion might be given for the king to find fault 
with him, in that he came not himself as others 
had done. Which he refused to do, for doubtless 
the king bearing him (as he partly understood) 
no great good will, would lay violent hands upon 
him. Shortly after Macbeth come to behold how 
the work went forward, and because he found not 
Macduff there, he was sore offended and said, 
"I perceive this man will never obey my com- 
mandments till he be ridden with a snaffle. But 
I shall provide well enough for him." Neither 
would he abide to look upon Macduff, either 
because he thought his puissance over-great or 
because he had learned of certain wizards in 
whose words he put great confidence (for the 
prophecy had happened so right which the three 
fairies, or weird sisters, had declared unto him) 
how he ought to take heed of Macduff, who in 
time to come should seek to destroy him. 

And surely had the king put Macduff to death 
but that a certain witch, whom he had in great 
trust, had told him that he should never be slain 
or vanquished till the woods of Bernane came to 
the castle of Dunsinane. By this prophecy Mac- 
beth put all fear out of his heart, supposing he 
might do what he would without any fear of being 
punished for the same. This vain hope caused 
him to do many outrageous things to the grievous 
oppression of his subjects. 

At length Macduff, to avoid peril of life, pur- 
posed with himself to pass into England to 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 79 

procure Malcolm, son of Duncan, to claim the 
crown of Scotland. But this was not so secretly 
devised by Macduff but that Macbeth had knowl- 
edge given him thereof: for kings (as is said) 
have sharp sight like unto lynxes, and long ears 
like unto Midas. For Macbeth had in every 
nobleman's house one sly fellow or other, in fee 
with him, to reveal all that was said or done 
within the same. 

Immediately then being advertised whereabout 
Macduff went, he came hastily with a great power 
into Fife, and forthwith besieged the castle where 
Macduff dwelt. They that kept the house, with- 
out any resistance, opened the gates and suffered 
him to enter, mistrusting no evil. But neverthe- 
less Macbeth most cruelly caused the wife and 
children of Macduff, with all others whom he found 
in the castle, to be slain. Also he confiscated the 
goods of Macduff, proclaimed him traitor, and 
confined him out of all parts of his realm. 

But Macduff had already escaped out of dan- 
ger and gotten into England unto Malcolm, to try 
what purchase he might make by means of his 
support to revenge the slaughter so cruelly exe- 
cuted on his wife, his children, and other friends. 
At his coming unto Malcolm he declared into what 
great misery the estate of Scotland was brought 
by the detestable cruelties exercised by the tyrant, 
Macbeth, his many horrible murders, as well of 
the nobles as of commons, for which he was hated 
right mortally of all his liege people — they desired 
nothing more than to be delivered from the intol- 



80 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

erable and most heavy yoke of thraldom which 
they sustained at such a caitiff's hands. 

Malcolm, hearing Macduff's words which he 
uttered in very lamentable sort, for mere compas- 
sion and very ruth of his sorrowful heart, bewail- 
ing the miserable state of his country, he fetched 
a deep sigh, which Macduff perceiving, began to 
fall most earnestly in hand with him to enterprise 
the delivering of the Scotch people. Which was 
an easy matter for him to bring to pass, consider- 
ing not only the good title he had, but also the 
earnest desire of the people to have some occasion 
ministered whereby they might be revenged of 
those notable injuries which they daily suffered 
by Macbeth 's misgovernance. 

Soon after Macduff, repairing to the borders 
of Scotland, addressed letters with secret dispatch 
unto the nobles of the realm, declaring Malcolm 
was right inheritor, and requiring them to assist 
him with their powers to recover his kingdom 
from the hands of the usurper. At these news 
the thanes drew into two factions, the one taking 
part with Macbeth, the other with Malcolm. 

Meanwhile Macbeth, perceiving his enemy's 
power to increase, fortified his camp at the castle 
of Dunsinane, there purposing to fight his ene- 
mies. Malcolm following hastily after Macbeth, 
came the night before the battle unto Bernane 
wood, and when his army was rested a while there 
to refresh them, he commanded every man to get 
a bough of some tree or other as big as he might 
bear, and to march forth therewith in such wise 
that on the morrow they might come closely and 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 81 

without sight in this manner within view of his 
enemies. 

On the morrow when Macbeth beheld them 
coming in this sort, he first marveled what the 
matter meant, but in the end remembering him- 
self that the prophecy, which he had heard long 
before that time, of the coming of Bernane wood 
to Dunsinane castle, saw that it was likely to be 
now fulfilled. Nevertheless, he brought his men 
in order of battle, and exhorted them to do 
valiantly. Howbeit his enemies had scarcely cast 
from them their boughs, when Macbeth, perceiv- 
ing their number, betook him straight to flight. 
Macduff pursued with great hatred and finally 
slew him. Then cutting the king's head from his 
shoulders, he set it upon a pole, and brought it 
unto Malcolm. 

This was the end of Macbeth in the year 1057, 
and after he had reigned seventeen years over the 
Scottishmen. In the beginning of his reign he 
accomplished many worthy acts, very profitable 
to the commonwealth ; but afterward, by illusion 
of the devil, he defamed the same with most ter- 
rible cruelties. 



How William the Conqueror 
won the Battle of Hastings 

The joy of life to those old peoples back eight hundred years 
ago and more seems, at times, to have been in fighting, with little 
results from the battles save the "hugeous slaughter" of men. 
But the battle of Hastings in the year 1066 meant something 
other. For it meant that the English were taking a foreign king 
and in defense of their ancient liberties would in the future 
wrest vast concessions of their rights from the royal power. The 
effect of this battle of Hastings — that is, the settling of Normans 
in England — upon our English language and English literature 
have been very great. 

Henry of Huntingdon, the old chronicler, from whose flowing 
narrative we take this story, was, like other learned men of his 
century, a member of the clergy. His history of the English was 
finished about the year 1154 — not ninety years after the battle of 
Hastings, and about the year it is supposed he died. Says 
Henry in the preface to his history, ' ' Precedence must be assigned 
to History as both the most delightful of studies and the one 
which is invested with the noblest and brightest prerogatives. 
Indeed there is nothing in this world more excellent than accu- 
rately to investigate and trace out the course of worldly affairs. 
For where is exhibited in a more lively manner the grandeur of 
the heroic, the wisdom of the prudent, the uprightness of the 
just, the moderation of the temperate, than in the actions which 
history records?" He wrote in Latin. 

HOW WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR WON 
THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS 

IN the year of our Lord 1066, the Lord who 
ruleth all things accomplished what he had 
long designed with respect to the English 
nation, giving them up to destruction by the fierce 
and crafty race of the Normans. For when 
Edward the Confessor departed this life, and was 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 83 

interred in the church of saint Peter at West- 
minster which he had built and endowed with 
great possessions, some of the English sought to 
make Edgar Etheling king. But Harold, relying 
on his power and pretensions by birth, seized the 
crown. 

Meanwhile William, duke of Normandy, was 
inwardly irritated and incensed because of the vio- 
lence of certain Englishmen toward a kinsman and 
friend of his, and because Harold, committing 
perjury, had usurped the kingdom which by right 
of relationship belonged to himself. Duke Wil- 
liam, therefore, assembling the principal men of 
Normandy, called on them to aid him in the con- 
quest of England. 

As these men came together and were enter- 
ing the council chamber, William Fitz-Osbert, the 
duke's steward, threw himself in their way, rep- 
resenting that the expedition to England was a 
very serious undertaking, for the English were 
a most warlike people, and he argued vehemently 
against the very few who were disposed to em- 
bark in the project of invading England. The 
barons hearing this were highly delighted, and 
pledged their faith to him that they would all con- 
cur in what he should say. Upon which he pre- 
sented himself at their head before the duke, and 
thus he addressed him: "lam ready to follow 
you devotedly with all my people in this expedi- 
tion. ' ' All the great men of Normandy were thus 
pledged to what he promised. 

They broke up the council, agreeing in the 
month of August to assemble with horses and 



84 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

arms in readiness to cross the sea. Accordingly 
they all assembled at the time appointed, but the 
wind was unfavorable for conveying them over 
to England. To procure a gale, the duke ordered 
the body of the patron saint of the harbor to be 
brought out into the open air, and immediately 
their sails were filled with the wished-for breeze. 
All thereupon embarked, and made a rapid course 
to Hastings. In quitting his vessel duke William 
slipped and fell; on which a knight, who stood 
near, gave a happy turn to the accident by saying, 
"Duke, you have seized possession of English 
soil as its future sovereign."* 

One day, while king Harold was at dinner, a 
messenger arrived with the news that William 
had landed on the south coast,f and had built a 
fort at Hastings. The king hastened southward 
to oppose him, and drew up his army on level 
ground in that neighborhood. Harold sent for- 
ward scouts to estimate the enemy's strength and 
numbers. These were seized in duke William's 
camp, and conducted round and shown his army ; 
then after plentiful refreshment they were sent 
back safe to their master. On their return Harold 
inquired what report they had to give of matters ; 
whereupon, after reporting the great confidence 
of the duke, they seriously declared that William's 
men had the whole of the face and both lips 
shaven — which was not an English custom. Smil- 
ing at their simplicity, Harold assured them that 

* This paragraph and also the two following this are taken from 
Roger of Wendoven's Flowers of History. 

t William landed at Pevensey on the eve of Michelmas, the 29th of 
September of the same year. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 85 

William's men were not priests, but soldiers of 
stout heart, and invincible in battle. 

While Harold was thus speaking, a monk 
arrived from duke William with three proposals 
on his behalf to Harold, either that he should give 
up the kingdom, or hold the kingdom as William's 
vassal, or lastly that they should decide the mat- 
ter by single combat in the presence of both 
armies. On hearing this, Harold would neither 
give William's messenger a kind look nor a cour- 
teous speech, but indignantly dismissed him with 
the single sentence that the Lord might judge 
between him and William. On this the monk 
boldly replied that, if he denied William's right, 
the latter was prepared to prove it by battle. 
Harold would add nothing to his former answer, 
which served to kindle the spirit of the Normans 
for the battle. 

Duke William began the attack with five squad- 
rons of his splendid cavalry, a terrible onset. But 
first he addressed his army to this effect: "What 
I have to say to you, ye Normans, bravest of 
nations, does not spring from any doubt of your 
valor, or uncertainty of victory, which never by 
any chance or obstacle escaped your efforts. If, 
indeed, once only you had failed of conquering, 
it might be necessary to inflame your courage by 
exhortation. But little does the spirit of your 
race need to be raised. Let any of the English 
whom our forefathers, both Danes and Norwe- 
gians, conquered in a hundred battles, come forth 
and show that the race of Eollo ever suffered a 
defeat from his time till now, and I will submit 



86 STOKIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

and retreat. Eaise then your standards, my 
brave men, and set no bounds to your merited 
rage. Let the lightning of your glory flash, and 
the thunders of your onset be heard from east 
to west." 

Duke William had hardly concluded his har- 
angue when all the squadrons, inflamed with rage, 
rushed on the enemy with indescribable impetu- 
osity. Before the armies closed for the fight, one 
Taillefer, playfully brandishing swords before the 
English troops, who were lost in amazement at 
his gambols, slew one of their standard-bearers. 
Soon a second of the enemy fell. A third to fall 
by the sword sport was the jester himself.* 

* Upon this incident the German poet, Uhland, has written a spirited 
ballad called Taillefer. We quote a part of a translation into English. 

Norman duke "William once aloud did call — 
"Who singeth in my court and in my hall? 
Who singeth so witchingly, from morn to night; 
And makes my heart leap up in sheer delight?" 

"It is Taillefer, as he is free to tell, 
Who sings in the court when lie is at the well — 
Who sings in the hall when he fans the faggot flame, 
At break of morn, and at fall of eve the same." 

Then quoth the duke, "I have a groom right true, 

Taillefer — he serveth me with honor due; 

He draws me water and fans my fire aright, 

And sings so loud that it nerves my arm with might." 

Norman duke William sailed across the sea ; 

To England with a mighty host steered he; 

Then he leaped ashore and fell upon his hand, 

"Ha!" cried he, "I clutch and seize on thee, England." 

When now the Normans to the battle strode, 
The noble Taillefer before duke William rode. 
"Full many a year have I sung and fed the brand, 
Full many a year have I sung with sword in hand. 

And if I have faithfully served and sung to you, 
First as a groom and anon as knight so true — 
Then grant me to-day my guerdon bright to know, 
Forsooth, let me be the first to smite the foe." 

Foremost of all did Taillefer ride afield 
Upon a lofty charger, with sword and shield; 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 87 

Then the ranks met : a cloud of arrows carried 
death: the clang of sword-strokes followed: 
helmets gleamed and weapons clashed. But 
Harold had formed his whole army in close col- 
umn, making a rampart, which the Normans could 
not penetrate. Duke William, therefore, com- 
manded his troops to make a feigned retreat, and 
while the English were engaged in pursuit, the 
Normans broke the center of their enemy's line. 
Duke William also commanded his bowmen not to 
aim their arrows directly at the enemy, but to 
shoot them in the air, that their cloud might 
spread darkness over the enemy's ranks. This 
occasioned great loss to the English. 

Twenty of the bravest knights also pledged 
their troth to each other that they would cut 
through the English troops and capture the royal 
ensign called The Standard. In this attack the 
greater part were slain; but the remainder, hew- 
ing a way with their swords, captured the banner. 

Meanwhile a shower of arrows fell round king 
Harold, and he himself was pierced in the eye. A 
crowd of horsemen now burst in, and the king, 
already wounded, was slain. With him fell earl 
Gurth and earl Leofric, his brothers. 



And cheerily swept his song o'er Hastings' plain; 
Of Roland and knighthood brave he sang amain. 

Then onward he pricked and gave the leading thrust: 
An English champion needs must bite the dust. 
Then he brandished his sword and gave the leading blow. 
And again an English knight on earth lay low. 

The Northmen saw it and charged across the field: 
Onward they rushed with shout and clashing shield. 
How hurtled the arrow! How rang the falchion-blade 1 
Till Harold and his bold vassals low were laid. 



88 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

After the defeat of the English army, and 
so great a victory, the Londoners submitted 
peaceably to "William, and he was crowned at 
Westminster. 

The battle was fought in the month of October, 
on the feast of saint Calixtns.* King William 
afterwards founded a noble abbey on the spot, 
which obtained the fitting name of Battle Abbey. 

* In our more accurate calendar, upon the 14th day. 



Adventures of Robin Hood 

Let us consider Eobin Hood, not as a man of straw, as he is 
often represented, or a creature of fancy, but as a liberty-loving 
Englishman, and let us see what conditions made such a life as 
his possible. That he, or others exceedingly like him, lived and 
dared there is small doubt. 

This account we give of some of his exploits is from a manu- 
script of the fourteenth century. Now what conditions prevailed 
and evidence to us that the tales as we have them here can hardly 
be fiction? — supposing for a moment that any writer of the time 
sat down to write pure fiction. 

If we turn to a certain fund of old history — to our Holinshed 
— we find that chronicler of Elizabeth 's happy day, repeating 
from still older authors of still earlier days, that on account of 
the hardness of William the Conqueror (who you know gained 
rule at the battle of Hastings in 1066) and because of William's 
oppressions, there became divers outlaws in his reign and the 
reign of his sons. These many outlaws were lovers of the ancient 
liberties of England, and also others akin to them in spirit, and 
they found it healthy to keep well to the woods during William's 
rule. 

In the winter following his conquest, says Holinshed, William 
began to handle the Englishmen somewhat sharply, supposing 
thereby to keep them the more easily under his obedience. He 
raised great taxes through the realm, nor anything regarded the 
English nobility, so that they who before thought themselves to 
be made forever by bringing a stranger to the realm, did now 
see themselves trodden underfoot, despised, and mocked on all 
sides, insomuch that many of them were constrained (as it were 
for a further testimony of servitude and bondage) to shave their 
beards, to round their hair, and to frame themselves as well in 
apparel as in service and diet at their tables after the Norman 
manner, very strange and far differing from the ancient cus- 
toms and old usasres of their country. 

Others, utterly refusing to sustain such an intolerable yoke 
of thraldom as was daily laid upon them by the Normans, chose 
rather to leave all, both lands and goods, and after the manner 
of outlaws got them to the woods with their wives, children and 
servants, meaning from thenceforth wholly to live upon the spoils 
of the countries adjoining, and to take whatsoever came next to 
hand. 

Whereupon it came to pass within a while that no man might 



90 STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 

travel in safety from his own house or town to his next neighbor *s, 
and every quiet and honest man's house became as it were an 
hold or fortress furnished for defense with bows and arrows and 
other weapons, the doors kept locked and strongly bolted in the 
night season for fear to be surprised, as it had been in time of 
open war and among public enemies. 

Moreover, to reduce the English people the sooner into 
obedience and awe, William took from them all their armor and 
weapons. He ordained also that the master of every household, 
about eight of the clock in the evening, should cause his fire to 
be raked up in ashes, his lights to be put out, and then go to 
bed. Besides this, to the end that every man might have knowl- 
edge of the hour to go to rest, he gave order that in all cities, 
towns and villages, where any church was, there should a bell be 
rung at the said hour, which custom is still held even unto this 
day and commonly called by the French words "couvrir feu," 
or " curfew,' ' that is, "to rake up the fire." In this way would 
William take from the English people all meetings and nightly 
plotting against his power. 

Further, Holinshed says of the English: 

They hated the Normans in their hearts to the very death. 
The Normans on the other side, with their king, perceiving the 
hatred which the English bore them, were sore offended and 
sought by all means to keep them under. Whereupon greater 
burdens were laid upon the English, insomuch that after they 
had been robbed and spoiled of their goods, they were also 
debarred of their accustomed games and pastimes. For where 
naturally they took great pleasure in hunting deer, both red and 
fallow, in the woods and forests, without restraint, king William, 
seizing the most part of the same forests into his own hands, 
appointed a punishment to be executed upon all such offenders; 
namely to have their eyes put out. And to bring the greater 
number of men in danger of his penal laws, he devised means 
how to breed, nourish and increase the multitude of deer, and also 
to make room for them. He pulled down towns, villages, churches 
and other buildings for the space of thirty miles to make thereof 
a forest, which at this clay is called New Forest. The people as 
then sore bewailed their distress, and greatly lamented that they 
must thus leave house and home to the use of savage beasts. 

Now the following tale of Robin Hood (first printed by 
Thorns from a manuscript in the British Museum) claims for his 
birth the second or third generation from the conditions related 
above and instituted by the Norman Conqueror. But such con- 
ditions may have persisted. Or again, Robin may have been 
born at an earlier day than the date here given. Certainly some 
men did live adventurously and much after the manner of the 
famed outlaw. 

Robin, says an old account, entertained a hundred tall 
men and good archers with such spoils as he got, and upon this 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 91 

one hundred, four hundred, were they never so strong, durst not 
make attack. Robin suffered no woman to be oppressed or 
otherwise molested. Poor men's goods he spared, abundantly 
relieving them with that which he took from abbeys and the 
houses of rich caries who were doing injustice. In better times 
Robin has been blamed for his rapine and theft, but of all thieves, 
if thief he were, he was the most gentle. 

ROBIN HOOD 

ROBIN HOOD was born at Lockesley in 
Yorkshire, or after others in Nottingham- 
shire, in the days of Henry II, about the 
year 1160, but lived to the latter end of Richard I. 
He was of noble parentage, but so riotous that 
he lost or sold his patrimony, and for debt 
became an outlaw, there joining to him many 
stout fellows of like disposition, amongst whom 
one called Little John was principal, or next to 
him. They haunted about Barnsdale forest,* and 
such other places. They used most of all shoot- 
ing, f wherein they excelled all the men of the land, 
though as occasion required they had also other 
weapons. 

One of Robin's first exploits was the going 
abroad into a forest and bearing with him a bow 
of exceeding great strength. He fell into com- 
pany with certain rangers or woodmen, who fell 
to quarrel with him as making show to use such 
a bow as no man was able to shoot withal. 
Whereto Robin replied that he had two better 
than that a{ Lockesley, only he bore it with him 
as a birding bow. 

* Barnesdale in Yorkshire, Sherwood in Nottinghamshire and Plompton 
Park in Cumberland were their haunts. Plompton Park was set apart 
for keeping of the king's deer. 

t With bow and arrow. 



92 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

At length the contention grew so hot that 
there was a wager laid about the killing of a deer 
a great distance off, for performance whereof 
Eobin offered to lay his head to a certain sum of 
money, of which rash speech the others presently 
took advantage. The mark being found out, one 
of them, both to make Eobin 's heart faint and 
hand unsteady, as he was about to shoot urged 
him with the loss of his head if he missed the 
mark. Notwithstanding, Eobin killed the deer 
and gave every man his money again save to him 
who at the point of shooting so upbraided him 
with the danger of losing his head. 

The other stomached the matter, but from 
quarreling grew to fighting, and Eobin getting 
him somewhat off with shooting, despatched him 
and so fled away. Then betaking himself to live 
in the woods by such booty as he could get, his 
company increased to an hundred and a half. 

In those days, whether they were favored, or 
howsoever, they were counted invincible. Where- 
soever Eobin heard of any that were of unusual 
strength and hardiness, he would disguise him- 
self, and rather than fail, go like a beggar to 
become acquainted with them, and after he had 
tried them with fighting, never give them over till 
he had used means to draw them to live after his 
fashion. After such manner he procured the 
pinder of Wakefield to become one of his com- 
pany, and a friar called Michael. 

Scarlock he induced upon this occasion. One 
day meeting him as he walked solitary, and 
like to a man forlorn, because a maid to whom 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 93 

he was affianced was taken from bim by the 
violence of her friends and given to another who 
was old and wealthy, Kobin learned when the 
marriage day was to be. Then he came to the 
church as a beggar, and having his company not 
far off, to come at the sonnd of his horn, he took 
the bride perforce from him who was to have 
married her, and cansed the priest to wed her and 
Scarlock together. 

It was the manner of Eobin and his retinue to 
live by thieving and robbing, yet he was some- 
what religiously affected and not without super- 
stition. Of all saints he most honored the saint 
Mary, so that if any for her sake asked aught of 
him, he would perform it if possibly he could. 
Neither would he suffer any that belonged unto 
bim to abuse women or any husbandmen. All 
their attempts were chiefly against fat prelates 
and religious persons and house friars. He is 
commended of John Mayor for the prince of all 
thieves and robbers. 

Now once it happened him to send Little John, 
Scarlock and Michael to the sales upon Watling 
Street* to meet with some booty. They wanted, 
when any prey came to their hands, to lead them 
into the wood to their habitation, as if they would 
use some hospitality. But after they were once 
in the woods and had eaten, they would make them 
pay dearly for their cates by stripping them of 
such things as they had. 

* Watling Street was one of the chief roads which the Romans found 
in Britain when they landed. They afterwards paved it. Beginning at 
Dover it ran through Canterbury to London and passed along the bound- 
ary line of the present counties of Leicester and Warwick on to Chester. 



94 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

So they dealt with sir Richard Lee, leading 
him to their master who made him the best cheer 
they had. When sir Richard would have de- 
parted only with giving the thanks, Robin told 
him it was not his manner to dine any where but 
he paid for such things as he took, and so should 
others do to him ere they parted, and it were, as 
he said, no good manners to refuse such doing. 
The knight told him he had but ten shillings, 
which he meant should have borne his charges at 
Doncaster, and it fared full ill with him at the 
time to part from it; only he promised, as he 
should be able, to requite his courtesy with the 
like. But Robin not so contented caused him to 
be searched and found no more but what the 
knight had told him of, whereupon he commended 
his true dealing and inquired further touching the 
cause of his sadness and barrenness. 

The knight told him then of his state and 
ancestry and how his son and heir, falling at 
variance with a knight in Lancashire, slew him in 
the field, for which and some other like exploits 
being in danger of losing his life, the knight, to 
procure his deliverance, had been at great charges, 
and even lastly driven to pawn his castle and 
living to the abbot of Saint Mary's at York for 
four hundred pounds; and the chief justice so 
dealt with the abbot for his interest therein that, 
— the knight condemned to forfeit his living if he 
lacked money to redeem it at the appointed day — 
he despaired now of all recovery. 

Robin, then pitying his case, gave him four 
hundred pounds, which was part of such booty as 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 95 

they had, also taking surety for payment again 
within a twelvemonth. They also furnished the 
knight with apparel out of which he was worn 
quite, and therefore for very shame determining 
to pass over the seas and spend the rest of his 
life as a mournful pilgrim to Jerusalem. 

The knight being now enlightened, on his day 
appointed came to the abbot, and to try the chief 
of the shire and the abbot — who accounted the 
knight's lands saved to themselves — made show 
as if he wanted money to pay the debt. When he 
found no token of compassion he left the money 
and recovered his land. 

And ere the twelvemonth was expired, sir 
Richard provided the four hundred pounds, and 
a hundred sheaf of good arrows, and bestowed 
them on Robin Hood. 

Now it was that the sheriff of Nottingham, to 
draw out Robin Hood, made to be proclaimed a 
day of shooting for a silver arrow. Thereto 
Robin boldly with all his train repaired, appoint- 
ing but six of his company to shoot with him, all 
the rest to stand to safeguard him. So Little 
John, Robin, Michael, Scarlock, Gilbert and Rey- 
nold shot, but Robin won the prize from all. 
Whereupon the sheriff and his company began to 
quarrel, and after they came to fighting, till Robin 
and his accomplices destroyed the sheriff's train 
for the most part in the conflict. Little John was 
sore wounded with an arrow in the knee, and not 
being able to go, requested his master to slay him 
and not suffer him to come into the sheriff's 
hands. But Robin avouched he would not lose 



96 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

him for all England, and Michael was appointed 
to bear him away on his back, who with much 
labor and oft resting brought him to sir Eichard 
Lee's castle. 

Thither after the broil repaired Robin himself 
and the rest of his company, and they were gladly 
received and defended against the sheriff, who 
presently razed the country and besieged the 
castle. Then the sheriff went to London and 
informed the king of all the matter, who dis- 
patched the sheriff back to levy a power of men 
in the country, telling him that within a fortnight 
after he himself would be at Nottingham. 

In the meanwhile, Little John being cured of 
his hurt, they all got them to the forest again. 

The king presently came to Nottingham with 
a great retinue, and understanding of the matter, 
seized sir Richard Lee's living into his hands. 
Surveying all the forests in Lancashire, he came 
to Plompton Park, and finding all the deer de- 
stroyed he was marvelous wroth, seeking about 
for Robin Hood and making proclamation that 
whoso could bring him sir Richard Lee's head 
should have all his land. 

So the king stayed about Nottingham half a 
year and could not hear of Robin, till being 
advised what a hard hand he bore against religious 
persons, he got himself into a monk's weed, and 
with a small company went as a traveler on the 
way where he thought Robin made abode. Robin 
espying them took hold of the king's horse, mak- 
ing show that he took him for an abbot, and 
began to inquire after some spending. But the 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 97 

king excused the matter, telling him how he had 
lain in Nottingham at great charges a fortnight, 
and had left him but forty pounds. This Robin 
took, and having divided it amongst his men, gave 
the king part again, who in turn pulled out the 
king's broad seal and told Robin how the king 
did greet him well and charged him to come to 
Nottingham. Whereupon Robin kneeled down 
and thanked the abbot — for he pretended to think 
him none other — for bringing such a message 
from him he loved most dearly of all men, and told 
him that for his labor he should go dine with 
him. 

So coming to the place of his abode, Robin 
blew his horn and all his company came as a host, 
obedient to their master. The king marveled, 
which Robin perceiving, did himself with his best 
men serve the king at meat, welcoming the abbot 
for the king's sake, he said. 

Then he showed the abbot the course of their 
lives, and skill in shooting, that he might inform 
the king thereof, and in shooting proposed this 
penalty to him that shot one of the garlands, 
namely, that the abbot should give him a good 
buffet. For the nonce Robin made himself the 
forfeit, and when the abbot refused to strike him, 
saying it fell not for his order, Robin would not 
cease till he felled him to the ground. 

Robin now discovered that he perceived it was 
the king, and together with sir Richard Lee and 
his men kneeled down and asked forgiveness, 
which the king granted upon condition that he 
would be with him at the court. So Robin arrayed 

7 



98 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

the king and his company in mantles of Lincoln 
green and went with them to Nottingham, the 
king seeming also to be one of the outlaws. 
The people, suspecting they should all be de- 
stroyed by Eobin and his company, ran away till 
the king comforted them. 

Eobin dwelt in the court a year, till with lavish 
spending he had nothing left to maintain himself 
and his men, and therefore all were departed 
from him but Little John and Scarlock. On a 
time seeing youngsters shooting, it came to his 
mind how he was alienated from the exercise, for 
which he was very grieved, and he cast in his 
mind how to get away. So he craved liberty to 
make a pilgrimage barefoot to a chapel which he 
said he had erected in Barnesdale. The king gave 
him a week's respite for going and coming. 

But Eobin being come thither assembled his 
old train and never returned back to the court. 
He continued this course of life about twenty 
years, till distempered with cold and age he 
repaired to the prioress of Kirkesley, who some 
say was his aunt, a woman very skilful in physics 
and surgery. She perceiving him to be Eobin 
Hood, and weighing how fell an enemy he was to 
religious persons, took revenge on him for her 
own house and all others by letting him bleed to 
death. 



Of Bitter Treatment of the 
Jews 

The pathos of the following stories, and their value in telling 
how certain of the old kings raised money for their treasury, 
introduce them so well that no further word is necessary. They 
interest Christian and Jew alike. 

The first tales, to page 103, are from the pages of our 
ever-interesting chronicler of Elizabeth's day, and the last, begin- 
ning near the foot of page 103, from William of Newburgh, who 
was alive and member of a priory of Augustine monks when the 
unhappy events he tells of were going on. In the paragraphs 
we have chosen from his history you will notice how painstakingly 
and pityingly William narrates his tale, and how calmly and 
exactly he aims to relate events. This would indicate that we 
may trust his records. 

OF BITTER TREATMENT OF THE 
JEWS 

AMONG other deeds of William the Con- 
quer, this is to be remembered — that he 
brought Jews to the land of England, and 
appointed them a place to inhabit and occupy. 
This people had long been persecuted and abused 
in Rouen, from which William brought them, and 
in other towns of France, and in other countries. 
So it was they first came to England. 

And in the reign of William Rufus, son of 
William the Conqueror, called " Rufus" because 
he was red-colored, in the year 1100, when the king 
was in Rouen, there came to him certain Jews 
who inhabited that city, complaining to him that 
divers of their nation had renounced their Jewish 

99 



100 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

religion, and were become Christians. Where- 
fore they besought the king that for a certain sum 
of money which they offered to give, it might 
please him to constrain them to abjure Chris- 
tianity and turn to the Jewish law again. 

William Eufus was contented to satisfy their 
desires, and so receiving the money, called them 
before him, and with threats and putting them 
otherwise in fear, he compelled divers of them to 
forsake their new faith and return to their old 
law. 

There was about the same time a young man, 
a Jew, who by a vision appearing unto him, as is 
said, was converted to the Christian faith, and 
being baptized was named Stephen, because saint 
Stephen was the man that had appeared to him in 
the vision, as by the same he was informed. The 
father of the young man being sore troubled, for 
that his son was become a Christian, and hearing 
what the king had done in such like matters, pre- 
sented to him marks of silver conditionally that 
he should force the son to return to the Jewish 
religion. 

Hereupon the young man was brought before 
the king, who said : ' ' Sirrah, thy father here com- 
plaineth that without his license thou art become 
a Christian. If this be true, I command thee to 
return to the religion of thy nation without any 
more ado." 

To the king the young man answered: "Your 
grace, as I guess, doth but jest." 

Therewith the king being moved said : ' * What, 
thou dunghill knave, should I jest with thee ! Get 



STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 101 

thee hence quickly, or by saint Luke's face I shall 
cause thine eyes to be plucked out of thy head. ' ' 

The young man, nothing abashed thereat, with 
a constant voice answered : ' ' Truly, I will not do 
it ; but I know for certain that if you were a good 
Christian, you would never have uttered any such 
words, for it is the part of a Christian to lead 
them again to Christ who be departed from him, 
and not to separate them from him who are joined 
to him by faith.' ' 

The king herewith being confounded, com- 
manded the Jew to get him out of his sight. 

But the father, perceiving that the king could 
not persuade his son to forsake the Christian 
faith, required to have his money again. To 
whom the king said, he had done so much as he 
promised to do, that was, to persuade the son so 
far as he might. But at length, when the father 
would have the king to deal further in the matter, 
the king, to stop his mouth, tendered back to him 
the one half of his money and retained the other 
half to himself. 

And in the reign of Richard the Lion-hearted, 
great-grand-nephew of William Rufus, and upon 
the very day of king Richard's coronation, in the 
year 1189, the Jews that dwelt in London, and 
those who had assembled there from other parts 
of the realm, had but sore hap. For that people, 
meaning to honor the coronation with their pres- 
ence, and to present to the king some fair and 
honorable gift, whereby they might declare them- 
selves glad for his advancement and procure his 
friendship towards them, wished also the confirm- 



102 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

ing of their privileges and liberties according to 
the grants and charters made to them by the 
former kings. But Richard, having the zealous 
faith which he afterwards evinced in his crusade 
to Palestine, commanded that the Jews should not 
come within the church where he was to receive 
the crown, nor within the palace whilst he was at 
dinner. 

But at dinner time, among others that pressed 
at the palace gate, divers of the Jews were about 
to thrust in, when one of them was stricken by a 
Christian, who, alleging the king's commands, 
kept them back from coming within the palace. 
This act some of the unruly people perceiving, 
and supposing it had been done by the king's com- 
mandment, took lightly occasion thereof, and 
falling upon the Jews with staves, bats and 
stones, beat them and chased them home to their 
houses and lodgings. 

Herewith also a rumor ran through the city 
that the king had commanded the Jews to be 
destroyed, and many of the unruly running to- 
gether, assaulted them in their houses, which 
when they could not easily break up nor enter by 
reason the same were strongly builded, they set 
on fire, so that divers houses were consumed, not 
only of the Jews, but also of their neighbors, so 
hideous was the rage of the fire. 

The king being advertised of this riotous 
attempt of the outrageous people, sent officers to 
appease the tumult. But their authority was 
nothing regarded, nor their persuasions any whit 
reverenced. In truth their threatenings rather 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 103 

brought themselves in danger of life among the 
rude sort of those that were about to spoil, rob, 
and sack the houses and shops of the Jews; to 
the better accomplishment of which unlawful act, 
the light from the fire of those houses which 
burned did, after it was once night, minister no 
small help and furtherance. 

The Jews that were in those houses set on fire 
were either smothered and burned to death within, 
or else, at their coming forth, most cruelly 
received upon the points of spears, swords and 
glaives of their adversaries, who watched for 
them very diligently. 

This great riot well deserved sore and grievous 
punishment, but yet it passed over without cor- 
rection through reason of the great number of 
transgressors; and for that the most part of 
men bore hatred against the obstinate forward- 
ness of the Jews. Finally after the tumult had 
leased, the king commanded that no man should 
hurt or harm any of that people, and that they 
hould be restored to peace. 

But the joyful day of Richard's advancement 
to the crown was a doleful day to the Jews, and 
they had sustained infinite damage. 

About the time that the illustrious Richard 
came to the throne, the zeal of the Christians 
against the Jews in England, which had been 
inflamed a short time before at London (as I have 
related), vehemently broke forth — not indeed 
from a pure motive, that is, on account of faith, 
but through envy at their prosperity and desire 
to seize their fortunes. Bold and covetous men 



104 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

thought they were doing service to God while they 
were despoiling or ruining the Jews, and they 
performed with joyful fury, and without scrapie 
of conscience, the work of their own covetousness. 

Of the Jews of York the principal were Bene- 
dict and Joceus, men who were rich and who lent 
on usury far and wide. Besides, with profuse 
expense, they had built houses of the largest 
extent in the midst of the city — which houses 
might be compared to royal palaces — and there 
they lived in abundance and luxury almost regal, 
like two princes of their own people, and tyrants 
to the Christians, exercising cruelty towards those 
whom they oppressed by usury. When they were 
in London at the solemnity of the royal corona- 
tion, Benedict had a most unhappy lot assigned 
him for his end. But Joceus, having with diffi- 
culty been rescued from the danger, returned to 
York. 

Now, although the king after the tumult in 
London had passed a law for the peace of the 
Jews, and acted in good faith to them throughout 
England, according to ancient custom, yet when 
Eichard was afterwards resident in parts beyond 
sea, many people in the county of York took an 
oath together against the Jews, being unable to 
endure their opulence while they themselves were 
in want ; and without any scruple of conscientious- 
ness thirsted for their blood through the desire 
of plunder. Those who urged them to venture 
upon these measures were certain persons of 
higher rank who owed large sums to those 
usurers. Some of these had pledged their own 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 105 

estates to the Jews for money, and were oppressed 
with great poverty ; and others, under obligations 
on account of their own bonds, were oppressed by 
the tax-gatherers to satisfy the usurers who had 
dealings with the king. 

One night, when a portion of the city of York 
was blazing in a fire kindled by chance, an armed 
band of those confederates we named above, with 
great violence broke into the house of the Bene- 
dict who had died miserably at London, and after 
they had slain his wife and sons and many others 
there dwelling, they set fire to the roof. While 
the flames were sullenly gaining strength, these 
plunderers swept away all the wealth, and favored 
by darkness, retired to their secret retreat. 

The Jews, struck with consternation at this 
event, and especially Joceus, who was more emi- 
nent than the rest, earnestly entreated the gov- 
ernor of the royal castle and gained his aid. 
They carried to the castle vast loads of their 
money, and moreover they had a guard for their 
own security. 

After some days the plunderers returned with 
greater confidence and ferocity, and, joined by 
many others, attacked the house of Joceus. At 
length they took the house, and after plundering 
it, they set it on fire. All those persons whose 
misfortune it was to be in the house were de- 
stroyed either by the sword or by fire. Joceus, 
however, foreseeing this misfortune, had a short 
time before removed with his wife and sons to 
the castle. In like manner, also, the rest of the 
Jews acted, very few remaining abroad to be 



106 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

victims. After the plunderers had decamped 
with the booty, and when it was morning, a mob 
rushed in and carried off all things and household 
furniture left by the plunderers and the fire. 

After this many people uniting with the con- 
federates, and holding in no respect the vigor of 
the law, openly began to rage against the Jews, 
and not being content with seizing their substance, 
gave all they could find outside the castle the 
choice of either baptism or death. Many feigned 
conversion in order to escape death; others who 
refused baptism were slain without mercy. 

While these events were happening the Jews 
who had fled to the castle seemed to be in safety. 
The governor of the castle, however, happening 
to go out upon some kind of business, when he 
wished to enter the castle again, he was not per- 
mitted by those inside and on the watch, uncertain 
whom they could trust, and fearing his faith 
toward them might waver. The governor of the 
castle at once went to the governor of the county, 
who chanced with a large company of knights to 
be near on the king's business, and complained 
that he was defrauded by the Jews of the custody 
of the castle. 

The governor was indignant and enraged 
against the Jews. The confederates in particular 
inflamed his anger. They declared that the tim- 
orous precaution of the unhappy Jews within the 
castle was nothing but a proud occupation of the 
royal castle — a thing in itself greatly to the injury 
of the king. 

Since many people were determined to rescue 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 107 

the royal castle from such occupants, the gov- 
ernor gave orders that the people should assemble 
and the attack be made. The word went forth, 
and bands of armed men, not only from the city, 
but also from the country, gathered about the 
castle. 

Then the governor began to regret the order 
he had issued, and wished, but too late, to forbid 
the assault. He had no power, either by the 
weight of reason or of authority, to restrain the 
minds now inflamed. 

Thus were the Jews besieged in the royal 
castle, and in consequence of the want of food, 
they would without doubt have been compelled to 
surrender if no one had attacked from without. 
They had not arms enough for their own protec- 
tion or to repel the enemy. Nevertheless they 
kept off the besiegers with stones alone, which 
they pulled out of the wall in the interior, and 
cast down. 

The castle was thus actively besieged several 
days, and at length engines were got ready and 
brought up. The capture of the castle was now 
certain. During the following night the besiegers 
rested, rejoicing in their coming victory. The 
Jews, however, strong and unbending through 
desperation, had but little rest, and debated 
among themselves what was to be done. 

There was among them a certain elder, a most 
famous doctor of the law, who had come from 
beyond the sea to instruct the Jews in England, 
it was said. This man was held in honor among 
them, and was obeyed by all, as if he had been one 



108 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

of the prophets. So when in this distress his 
advice was asked, he said: "Grod commands ns to 
die for his Law. Since we ought to prefer a 
glorious death to live with disgrace as apos- 
tates, it is plain we should choose a most honor- 
able and easy death. Therefore let us willingly 
and devoutly, with our own hands, render up that 
life which the Creator gave us, and let us not wait 
for the aid of a cruel enemy to give back that 
which He reclaims." 

When he had said this many embraced the 
fatal advice; but to others this discourse seemed 
hard, and they went away preferring to make trial 
of the clemency of their enemies. Soon after, at 
the suggestion of the mad old man and to prevent 
their enemies from being enriched by their 
wealth, they set fire to their precious vestments. 
When this was done the roof was set on fire so 
that the flames might gain slowly among the solid 
timber, and deprive of life even those who had 
departed from their brethren through love of life. 

It was moreover decided by direction of the 
old man that the men whose minds were more firm 
should make way with their wives and children. 
When this had been done by other men, the old 
man himself cut the throat of Joceus, because he 
was more honorable than the rest. 

In the morning, when a multitude of people 
assembled to storm the castle, they found those 
of the unhappy Jews who had chosen life standing 
on the battlements and telling in melancholy voice 
of the massacre of their people. While they thus 
spoke with tears in their eyes, many of our people 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 109 

looked with deep horror and astonishment upon 
the madness of those who had died, and they 
pitied the survivors. But the confederates were 
unmoved by compassion for the miserable sur- 
vivors, and as they came from the castle they 
seized and slew them. 

This act committed at York was soon reported 
to the king beyond the seas. After the disturb- 
ance at London he had granted peace and legal 
security to the Jews within his realm, and at this 
fresh outburst he was indignant and enraged, not 
only on account of the treason against his royal 
word, but for the great injury his revenue had 
sustained, for whatever the Jews, who are the 
king's farmers, possess in goods, appertains to 
the treasury. 

A mandate was speedily issued ordering severe 
punishment to the doers of the audacious deed. 
The ringleaders, however, fled to Scotland, and 
the citizens of York stoutly denied their agency in 
the tumult. Still fines were imposed upon each 
man according to the amount of his fortune. But 
the multitude whose irregular zeal had chiefly 
caused the dreadful outbreak could not be brought 
to judgment. Nor until this day has any one 
been condemned for that massacre of the Jews. 



Tales of the Lion-hearted 
Richard 

No hero makes more vivid appeal to our imagination than 
Kichard the Lion-hearted, at one time king of England. Accounts 
of him, although he lived so long ago, and so long before books 
became common, we are rich in, and actual records of his deeds 
we have from those who saw and knew him. Geoffrey de Vinsauf 
was one of these writers. 

It is said Geoffrey was an Englishman and of Norman stock. 
At any rate he was so true to the telling of his hero that he left 
no word of himself. He wrote in Latin, as did most of the 
writers of those days. He may have been a monk — for in those 
days, again, the learned were mainly monks and priests, and a 
few nuns. 

In Geoffrey's chronicle we have the report of an eye-witness — 
one who saw the Saracen leader, Saladin, and his armies attack 
the crusaders — European hosts who had gone to the Holy Land 
to rescue the places of Christ's life and service from the Sara- 
cens — and who had seen the crusaders withstand and repulse the 
Saracens. In the following pages you will see that the prowess 
and the feats of the lion-hearted king especially excite the 
admiration of the chronicler, and you will notice with what zeal 
he relates Eichard's adventures. 

TALES OF RICHARD THE LION-HEARTED 

ON the third day of September, 1189, Rich- 
ard was anointed king on a Sunday. 
Many were the conjectures made because 
the day was marked unlucky in the calendar. 
And in truth it was unlucky, and very much so to 
the Jews of London, who were destroyed that day. 
Having therefore celebrated his crowning by a 
festival of three days, and entertained his guests 
in the royal palace of Westminster, king Richard 

no 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 111 

gratified all by distributing money without count 
or number to all according to their ranks, thus 
manifesting his liberality and his great excellence. 
His generosity and his virtuous endowments the 
ruler of the world should have given to the ancient 
times ; for in this period of the world, as it waxes 
old, such feelings rarely exhibit themselves, and 
when they do, they are subjects of wonder and 
astonishment. 

Who, if Richard were accused of presumption, 
would not readily excuse him, knowing him for a 
man who never knew defeat, impatient of an 
injury, and impelled irresistibly to vindicate his 
rights, though all he did was characterized by 
innate nobleness of mind. Success made him 
better fitted for action. He was tall of stature, 
graceful in figure; his hair between red and 
auburn; his limbs were straight and flexible; his 
arms rather long, and not to be matched for wield- 
ing the sword or for striking with it ; and his long 
legs suited the rest of his frame. His appearance 
was commanding, and his habits and manners 
suitable ; and he gained the greatest celebrity, not 
more from his high birth than from the virtues 
that adorned him. 

But why need we take much labor in extolling 
the fame of so great a man? He was far superior 
to all others, both in moral goodness and in 
strength, and memorable for prowess in battles, 
and his mighty deeds outshone the most brilliant 
description we could give of them. 

[Our chronicler Geoffrey de Vinsauf goes on 
to an elaborate description of Richard's journey 



112 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

to Palestine. He tells how Kichard and Philip 
of France met and arranged for their crnsade. 
After some months the two met again with their 
forces at Messina in Sicily, where, another writer 
of that time, Eichard of Devizes, relates, Eich- 
ard won his title of "the Lion-hearted."] 

The day after his landing in Sicily, the king of 
England caused gibbets to be erected without the 
camp to hang thereon thieves and robbers. The 
judges delegated spared neither sex nor age; the 
cause of the stranger and the native found the 
like law and the like punishment. The king of 
France, whatever transgression his people com- 
mitted, or whatever offense was committed against 
them, took no notice and held his peace; the king 
of England esteeming the country of those impli- 
cated in guilt as a matter of no consequence, con- 
sidered every man his own and left no transgres- 
sion unpunished, wherefore the one was called a 
Lamb by the GrirTones,* the other obtained the 
name of a Lion. 

[After a considerable delay in Sicily, Eich- 
ard proceeded to Cyprus where he celebrated his 
nuptials with Berengaria, described by Geoffrey 
de Vinsauf as a damsel of the greatest prudence 
and most accomplished manners. A long time 
previous, while yet count of Poitou, he had been 
charmed by the graces of the damsel and her high 
birth, and felt a passion for her ; on which account 
her father, the king of Navarre, had committed 
her to the care of king Eichard J s mother, queen 

* An opprobrious name given peoples of the East by early English 
and French. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 113 

Eleanor, to journey to Cyprus in order that he 
might marry her before crossing the sea as he 
intended.] 

Finally upon the day of Pentecost, 1191, king 
Richard landed at Acre with his army, the flower 
of war, and the earth was shaken by the acclama- 
tion of the exulting Christians. Upon learning 
that the king of France had gained the good-will 
and favor of all, by giving to each of his soldiers 
three aurei a month, not to be outdone or equaled 
in generosity, he proclaimed by mouth of herald 
that whosoever was in his service, no matter of 
what nation, should receive four statute aurei a 
month for his pay. By these means his gener- 
osity was extolled by all, for he outshone every 
one else in merit and favor, as he outdid them in 
gifts and magnificence. "When," exclaimed 
they, "will the first attack* take place by a man 
whom we have expected so long and anxiously? 
A man, by far the first of kings, and the most 
skilled in war throughout Christendom? Now let 
the will of God be done, for the hope of all rests 
on king Richard." 

But after some days' sojourn, the king was 
afflicted with a severe illness, to which the com- 
mon people gave the name of Arnoldia, which is 
produced by a change of climate working on the 
constitution. But for all that, he caused petrariaef 
and mangonelsf to be raised, and a fort in front of 
the city gates, and spared no pains to expedite 

* Upon Acre, which had now withstood a siege of more than two years. 

f Machines for throwing stones and battering walls. 
8 



114 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

the construction of machines for the siege of the 
city of Acre. 

The king of France, Philip, not liking the delay 
in beginning the attack, sent word to king Eichard 
that a favorable opportunity now offered itself. 
But king Eichard signified his inability to attend 
to his duty, both on account of indisposition, and 
because all his men were not yet come. The king 
of France not thinking fit to desert from his pur- 
pose on that account, commanded an assault to be 
proclaimed, by voice of herald, throughout the 
army. 

Then might have been seen a countless multi- 
tude of armed men, worthily equipped, and so 
many coats of scale armor, gleaming helmets, and 
noble charges, with pennons and banners of 
various workmanship, and soldiers of tried valor 
and courage, as never had been seen before. 
Having placed men to defend the trenches against 
the threatened attack of Saladin from without, 
the army approached the walls of the city, and 
began a most vigorous assault by casting darts 
and stones from arbalests* and machines, without 
ceasing. 

When the Turks who were shut up in the city 
saw this, they raised a tumultuous clamor, and 
shouted to the skies, so that it resembled the 
crash in the air caused by thunder and lightning ; 
for some had this sole duty, to beat basins and 
platters, to strike timbrels, and by other means 
to make signal to Saladin and the army without, 
in order that they might come to their succor 

* Cross-bows. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 115 

according to agreement. And when the Turks 
without saw and heard this, they gathered in a 
body, and collecting every material within their 
reach to fill up the ditch, they essayed to cross 
over and attack our men. 

So severe and unsupportable was the struggle, 
and so horrible the clamor of the conflict, that the 
men who were making the assault on the city, and 
were intent on filling up the trenches, were forced 
to retire and give up the attempt, for they were 
not able to carry on the assault, and at the same 
time defend their camp from the Turks without. 
And many of the French perished by the darts 
cast from the arbalests, the throwing of stones, 
and the pouring on them of Greek fire ; and there 
was great mourning and lamentation amongst the 
people. ! with what earnestness had we ex- 
pected the arrival of the kings ! How fallen were 
our hopes ! 

Our men of France having laid aside their 
arms, the Turks began to revile them shamefully, 
and reproached them with not being able to 
accomplish what they had begun. Moreover, they 
threw Greek fire on the machines and other war- 
like instruments of the king of France, which had 
been made with such care, and destroyed them. 
Whence the king of France, overcome by fury 
and anger, sank into a state of languished sick- 
ness — from sorrow, it was said — and mounted not 
on horseback. 

Thus the army pined away from excessive 
grief and discouragement at the sickness of the 
two kings; for they had not a chief or leader to 



116 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

fight the battles of the Lord. King Richard was 
more tormented by the unfortunate attack of the 
Turks than by the severity of the fever that 
scorched him. 

The king of France first recovered from his 
sickness, and turned his attention to the construc- 
tion of machines and petrariae, suitable for 
attacks, and which he determined to ply night 
and day, and he had one of superior quality to 
which they gave the name of "Bad Neighbor." 
The Turks also had one they called "Bad Kins- 
man," which by its violent casts often broke "Bad 
Neighbor" in pieces; but the king of France 
rebuilt it, until by constant blows he broke down 
part of the principal city wall, and shook the 
tower Maledictum. On one side the petraria of 
the duke of Burgundy plied; on the other fhat of 
the Templars* did severe execution; while that 
of the Hospitallersf never ceased to cast terror 
amongst the Turks. 

Besides these, there was one petraria erected 
at the common expense which they were in the 
habit of calling the "petraria of God." Near it 
there constantly preached a priest, a man of great 
probity, who collected money to restore it at their 
joint expense, and to hire persons to bring stones 
for casting. By meaus of this engine, a part of 
the wall of the tower Maledictum was at length 
shaken down. 

In addition to these, king Richard had con- 
structed two other machines of choice workman- 

* Knights of the Temple, whose especial aim was the protection of 
pilgrims. 

f A body of military monks. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 117 

ship and material, which would strike a place at 
an incalculable distance. He also had built one 
which the people called "Berefred," with steps to 
mount it, fitting most tightly to it, covered with 
rawhides and ropes, and having layers of most 
solid wood, not to be destroyed by any blows, nor 
open to injury from the pouring thereon of Greek 
fire, or any other material. He also prepared 
mangonels, one of which was of such violence and 
rapidity that what it hurled reached the inner 
rows of the city market-place. These engines 
were plied day and night, and it is well known 
that a stone sent from one of them killed twelve 
men with its blow ; the stone was afterwards car- 
ried to Saladin for inspection, and king Richard 
had brought it from Messina. Such stones and 
flinty pieces of rock of the smoothest kind nothing 
could withstand; they either shattered in pieces 
the object they struck, or ground it to powder. 

King Richard, not yet fully recovered from his 
sickness, was nevertheless anxious for action, and, 
strenuously intent upon taking the city, he made 
arrangements that his men should make the 
assault, in the hope that under Divine Providence 
he should succeed. For this purpose he caused 
to be made a hurdle, commonly called a circleia, 
put together firmly with a complication of inter- 
weaving and made with the most subtle workman- 
ship. This the king intended to be used for 
crossing over the trench outside the city. Under 
it he placed his most experienced arbalesters, and 
he caused himself to be carried thither on a silken 
bed, to honor the Saracens with his presence and 



118 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

animate his men to fight; and from it, by using 
his arbalest, in which he was skilled, he slew 
many with darts and arrows. 

His sappers also carried a mine under the 
tower, at which a petraria was directed, and hav- 
ing made a trench, they filled it with logs of wood 
and set them on fire; when, by the addition of 
frequent blows from the petraria, the tower fell 
suddenly to the ground with a crash. 

It was about tierce, i.e., the hour of dinner, 
when the men of valor and the most excellent 
squires prepared to attack the aforesaid tower 
and forthwith boldly mounted it. The sentinels 
of the Turks on seeing them began to shout, and 
the whole city being roused, took up arms with all 
haste and ran to oppose them; and the Turks 
pressed in dense numbers upon the squires who 
were nimbly making their way. 

While our men tried to enter the city and the 
Turks to drive them back, they met in a body and 
fought hand to hand on both sides; right hand 
met right hand, and swords flashed against 
swords; some seized hold of each other, others 
struck each other, some were driven back and 
others fell. Our men were few in numbers; the 
multitude of the Turks increased constantly, and 
by throwing Greek fire they forced our men to 
retire and descend from the tower ; some of them 
were killed by the enemy and afterwards burnt 
to ashes by this destructive conflagration. 

There never was seen anything like that race 
of Turks for efficiency in war. What can be said 
of this race of unbelievers who thus defended 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 119 

their city? They must be admired for their valor 
in war, and were the honor of their whole nation ; 
and had they been of the right faith they would 
not have had their superiors as men throughout 
the world. Yet they dreaded our men, not with- 
out reason, for they saw the choicest soldiers from 
the ranks of all Christendom come to destroy 
them. 

Meanwhile the petrariae of the Christians 
never ceased, day and night, to shake the walls; 
and when the Turks saw this they were smitten 
with wonder, astonishment, terror and confusion; 
and many, yielding to their fears, threw them- 
selves down from the walls by night, and without 
waiting for aid promised them by Saladin; very 
many sought with supplications the sacrament of 
baptism and Christianity. There was little doubt 
that they presumptuously asked the boon more 
from the pressure of urgent fear than from any 
divine inspiration. But there are different steps 
by which men arrive at salvation. 

Saladin, by means of messengers who passed 
backwards and forwards, perceiving that to per- 
severe any longer in defending the city was 
dangerous, at length determined to yield to the 
entreaties of the besieged ; he was, moreover, per- 
suaded by his admirals and satraps and his 
influential courtiers, who had many friends and 
kinsmen amongst the besieged. The latter alleged 
that he was bound to them by his promise made 
on the Mohammedan law that he would procure 
for them an honorable capitulation at the last mo- 
ment, lest, perchance, made prisoners at discre- 



120 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

tion, they should be exterminated or put to an 
ignominious death. 

They also reminded Saladin of the fact that 
they, a chosen race of Turks, in obedience to his 
commands had been cooped up in the city and 
had withstood a siege for so long a time. They 
reminded him, too, that they had not seen their 
wives and children for three years, during which 
period the siege had lasted; and they said it 
would be better to surrender the city than that 
people of such merit should be destroyed. 

[The besieged Turks entered into a treaty with 
Christians, offering to surrender unconditionally 
the city of Acre, the Cross which it was supposed 
they possessed, and two thousand five hundred 
Christian captives, and that they should depart 
from their city with their shirts only. 

After the Christian army had entered Acre 
and recuperated, it proceeded toward Joppa, 
Eichard the Lion-hearted leading the van. On 
their three-weeks march they fought a fierce 
battle.] 

Such was the vigor of our men's last attack 
that if the enemy had remained a little longer, 
and had not taken flight, they would never again 
have been in fighting order, and the land would 
have been left for the Christians to occupy. 
Saladin, hearing that his choice troops, in whom 
he had placed so much confidence, were routed in 
this manner by the Christians, was filled with 
anger and excitement, and calling together his 
admirals he said to them, "Are these the deeds of 
my brave troops, once so boastful, and whom I 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 121 

have so loaded with gifts! Lo ! the Christians 
traverse the whole country at their pleasure, for 
there is no one to oppose them. Where now are 
all the vaunts of my troops, those swords and 
spears with which they threatened to do such 
execution? Where is that prowess which they 
promised to put forth against the Christians, to 
overthrow them utterly? They have fought the 
battle they desired, but where is the victory they 
promised? They are degenerated from those 
noble ancestors who performed such exploits 
against the Christians, and whose memory will 
endure forever. It is a disgrace to our nation, 
the most warlike in the world, thus to become 
as nothing in comparison with their glorious 
ancestors. " 

The admirals held down their heads at these 
words; but one of them, named Sanscuns, of 
Aleppo, returned this answer: "Most sacred 
sultan, saving your majesty, this charge is unjust, 
for we fought with all our strength against the 
Pranks, and did our best to destroy them. We 
met their fiercest attacks, but it was of no avail. 
They are armed in impenetrable armor which no 
weapon can pierce, so that all our blows fell as 
it were upon a rock of flint. And, further, there 
is one among their number superior to any man 
we have ever seen: he always charges before the 
rest, slaying and destroying our men: he is the 
first in every enterprise, and is a most brave and 
excellent soldier ; no one can resist him or escape 
out of his hands: they call him Melech Ric* 

* King Richard. 



122 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

Such a king as he seems born to command the 
whole earth ; what then could we do more against 
so formidable an enemy ?" 

Saladin, in the heat of his indignation, called to 
him his brother Saphadin. "It is my wish," said 
he, "to try what reliance can be placed on my 
men in this extremity: go and destroy without 
delay the walls of Ascalon; and destroy Joppa; 
destroy, in short, all mountain fortresses; spare 
neither city, castle, nor fort, except Crach and 
Jerusalem." Saphadin obeyed these commands 
without delay. 

The Christian army remained outside the walls 
of Joppa and refreshed themselves with abun- 
dance of fruits — figs, grapes, pomegranates and 
citrons, produced by the country round — when lo ! 
the fleet of king Eichard, with other vessels, 
which accompanied the army and went to and fio 
between Joppa and Acre, brought us necessities, 
much to the annoyance of the Turks, because they 
could not prevent them. 

Saladin, meanwhile, had destroyed the walls 
of Ascalon. This intelligence was brought by 
some common soldiers who escaped whilst it was 
in progress; but our people could hardly believe 
that Saladin had done this in despair, as if so 
powerful a prince could not, or did not, dare 
defend them. 

King Eichard and his nobles now deliberated 
whether they should march to save Ascalon, or 
proceed at once to Jerusalem. Many opinions 
were given, and the king gave his own in the 
presence of the duke of Burgundy and others, in 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 123 

these words : "It seems to me," said he, "that our 
differences of opinion may be not only useless, but 
dangerous to the army. The Turks who are dis- 
mantling Ascalon, dare not meet us in the field. 
I think we should endeavor to save Ascalon as a 
protection to the pilgrims who pass that way." 

The French violently opposed this opinion and 
recommended rather that Joppa should be re- 
stored, because it furnished a shorter and easier 
route for pilgrims going to Jerusalem. The 
acclamation of the multitude seconded the opinion 
of the French. Foolish counsel! fatal obstinacy 
of those indolent men! By providing for their 
immediate comfort, and to avoid labor and 
expense, they did what they would afterwards 
repent of: for if they had then saved Ascalon 
from the Turks, the whole land would soon have 
been clear of them. But the cry of the people 
prevailed, a collection was made, and they im- 
mediately began to rebuild the towers and to 
clear out the moat of Joppa. The army remained 
there long, enjoying ease and pleasure; their sins 
grew daily upon them; the zeal of pilgrimage 
waxed cold, and all their works of devotion were 
neglected. 

It was now the end of September (year 1191), 
and Joppa partly rebuilt, when the army, issuing 
from the suburbs, encamped before the fortress 
of Habacuc ; too small an army, alas ! for many of 
them had withdrawn to Acre, where they spent 
their time in taverns. King Richard, seeing their 
idleness and debauchery, sent king Guy* to bring 

* Gny of Lusignan, who claimed the throne of Jerusalem. 



124 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

them back to the army at Joppa, but very few of 
them returned, and king Richard was obliged him- 
self to sail to Joppa where he urged them by 
exhortations of their duty as pilgrims, and by 
these means induced many of them to return to 
Joppa. 

About this time king Richard went out hawk- 
ing with a small escort, and intending, if he saw 
any small body of Turks, to fall upon them. 
Fatigued by his ride he fell asleep, and a body of 
Turks rushed suddenly upon him to make him a 
prisoner. The king, awakening at the noise, had 
hardly time to mount his bay Cyprian horse. 
His attendants were still getting on their horses 
also, when the Turks came upon them and tried 
to take him; but the king, drawing his sword, 
rushed upon them, and they, pretending flight, 
drew him after them to a place where there was 
another body of Turks in ambush. These started 
up with speed and surrounded the king to make 
him prisoner. 

The king defended himself bravely, and the 
enemy drew back, though he would still have been 
captured if the Turks had known who he was. 
But in the midst of the conflict one of the king's 
companions, William de Pratelles, called out in 
the Saracenic language that he himself was the 
"melech," i.e., king; and the Turks, believing 
what he said, led him off captive to their own 
army. 

At the news of this action our army was 
alarmed, and seizing their arms came at full 
gallop to find the king, and when they met him 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 125 

returning safe, he faced about and with them 
pursued the Turks, who had carried off William 
de Pratelles, thinking they had got the king. 
They could not, however, overtake the fugitives, 
and king Richard, reserved by the divine hand for 
greater things, returned to the camp to the joy of 
his soldiers, who thanked God for his preserva- 
tion, but grieved for William de Pratelles, who 
had loyally redeemed the king at the price of his 
own liberty. 

Some of the king's friends now reproved him 
for his temerity, and entreated him not to wander 
abroad alone, and expose himself to be taken by 
the ambuscades of the Turks, who were especially 
eager to make him prisoner; but on all occasions 
to take with him some brave soldiers, and not to 
trust to his own strength against such numbers. 
But, notwithstanding these admonitions on the 
part of his best friends, the king's nature still 
broke out; in all expeditions he was the first to 
advance and the last to retreat, and he never 
failed, either by his own valor or the divine aid, 
to bring back numbers of captives, or if they 
resisted, to put them to the sword. 

[After strengthening their position by rebuild- 
ing forts, the army under Richard joyfully took 
up the march towards Jerusalem. This was in 
1192. Their progress was soon abandoned, how- 
ever. The French withdrew and discord divided 
the Christians among themselves. Without, the 
Turks were harassing them with frequent 
attacks. 

At this juncture, while endeavoring to settle 



126 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

difficulties immediately before his eyes, Bichard 
heard that his brother John was intriguing 
against him at home and that he, Bichard, stood in 
danger of losing the English crown. He now 
wavered in judgment — whether to return to de- 
fend his rights or to push towards the object of 
the crusade. After listening to a long harangue 
from one of his chaplains, he determined to 
remain for the present and prepared to lay siege 
to Jerusalem. 

Again the army set out joyfully towards the 
Holy City. The Saracens who were in Jerusalem 
fled. But again through jealousies and discords 
the Christians were turned back. 

Saladin now collecting an army took the 
offensive and assaulted the forces who were 
returned to Joppa. Bichard at Acre was prepar- 
ing to leave for England, when hearing of the 
Turks' activities he dispatched his army over land 
to Joppa and himself went thither by sea. There, 
after fierce conflict, the Christian forces gained 
the day, and Bichard fixed his tents where those 
of the Saracens had been. They also diligently 
repaired the walls of Joppa.] 

Meanwhile a certain depraved set of men 
among the Saracens, called Menelones of Aleppo 
and Cordivi, an active race, met together to con- 
sult what should be done in the existing state of 
things. They spoke of the scandal which lay 
against them, that so small an army, without 
horses, had driven them out of Joppa, and they 
reproached themselves with cowardice and shame- 
ful laziness, and arrogantly made a compact 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 127 

among themselves that they would seize king 
Richard in his tent, and bring him before Saladin, 
from whom they would receive a most munificent 
reward. 

Thus they prepared themselves in the middle 
of the night and sallied forth armed, by the light 
of the moon, conversing with one another about 
the object which they had in hand. hateful race 
of unbelievers ! they are anxiously bent upon seiz- 
ing Christ's steadfast soldier while he is asleep. 
They rush on in numbers to seize him unarmed 
and apprehensive of no danger. 

They were now not far from his tent, and were 
preparing to lay hands on him when, lo ! the God 
of mercy, who never neglects those who trust 
in him, and acts in a wonderful manner even 
towards those who know him not, sent the spirit 
of discord among the aforesaid Cordivi and 
Menelones. The Cordivi said, "You shall go in 
on foot, to take the king and his followers, whilst 
we will remain on horseback to prevent their 
escaping." But the Menelones replied, "Nay, it 
is your place to go in on foot, because our rank is 
higher than yours. We are content with the 
service which is our duty ; but this service on foot 
belongs to you rather than to us." 

Whilst thus the two parties were contending 
which of them were the greater, and when at last 
they came to a decision how their nefarious 
attempt should be achieved, the dawn of day 
appeared. And now, by the providence of God, 
who had decreed that his holy champion should 
not be seized whilst asleep by the infidels, a cer- 



128 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

tain Genoese was led by the divine impulse to go 
out early in the morning into the fields, where he 
was alarmed at the noise of men and horses 
advancing, and returned speedily, but just had 
time to see helmets reflecting back the light which 
now fell upon them. He at once rushed with 
speed into the camp, calling out, "To arms! to 
arms!" The king was awakened by the noise, 
and leaping startled from his bed, put on his im- 
penetrable coat of mail, and summoned his men to 
the rescue. 

God of all virtues! lives there a man who 
would not be shaken by such a sudden alarm? 
The enemy rush unawares, armed against un- 
armed, many against few, for our men had no 
time to arm, or even to dress themselves. The 
king himself therefore, and many others with him, 
on the urgency of the moment, proceeded without 
their cuishes to the fight, some even without their 
breeches, and they armed themselves in the best 
manner they could, though they were going to 
fight the whole day. Whilst our men were thus 
arming in haste, the Turks drew near, and the 
king mounted his horse, with only ten other 
knights. These alone had horses, and some even 
of those they had were base and impotent horses, 
unused to arms. The common men were skilfully 
drawn out in ranks and troops, with each a cap- 
tain to command them. 

0, who could fully relate the terrible attack of 
the infidels? The Turks at first rushed on with 
horrid yells, hurling their javelins and shooting 
their arrows. Our men prepared themselves as 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 129 

they best could to receive their furious attack, 
each fixing his right knee in the ground, that so 
they might better hold together and maintain 
their position. The thighs of their left legs were 
bent and their left hands held their shields or 
bucklers. Stretched out before them in their 
right hands they held their lances, of which the 
lower ends were fixed in the ground, and their 
iron heads pointed threateningly towards the 
enemy. Between every two of the men who were 
thus covered with their shields, the king placed 
an arbalester, and another behind him to stretch 
the arbalest as quickly as possible, so that the 
man in front might discharge his shot whilst the 
other was loading. Thus everything was pre- 
pared as well as the shortness of the time allowed, 
and our little army was drawn up in order. 

The king ran along the ranks and exhorted 
every man to be firm and not to flinch. "Cour- 
age, my brave men," said he, "and let not the 
attack of the enemy disturb you. Bear up against 
the frowns of fortune, and you will rise above 
them. Everything may be borne by brave men. 
Adversity sheds a light upon the virtues of men 
as certainly as prosperity casts over them a 
shade. There is no room for flight, for the enemy 
surround us, and to attempt to flee is to provoke 
certain death. Be brave, and let urgency sharpen 
your valor. Brave men should either conquer 
nobly, or gloriously die." 

The king had hardly spoken these words when 
the hostile army in seven troops, each of which 
contained about a thousand horse, rushed for- 

9 



130 STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 

ward with ferocity. They came like a whirlwind, 
again and again making the appearance of an 
attack, that onr men might be induced to give 
way, and when they were close np, they turned 
their horses off in another direction. 

The king and his knights, who were on horse- 
back, seeing this, put spurs to their horses and 
charged into the middle of the enemy, upsetting 
them right and left, and piercing a large number 
through the body with their lances. At last they 
pulled up their horses, because they found that 
they had penetrated entirely through the Turkish 
lines. The king now looking about him saw the 
noble earl of Leicester fallen from his horse and 
fighting bravely on foot. No sooner did he see 
this than he rushed to his rescue, snatched him 
out of the hands of the enemy, and replaced him 
on his horse. 

What a terrible combat was then waged! A 
multitude of Turks advanced, and used every 
exertion to destroy our small army. Vexed at 
our success, they rushed towards the royal stand- 
ard of the lion, for they would rather have slain 
the king than a thousand others. In the midst of 
the melee the king saw Ralph de Manleon dragged 
off prisoner by the Turks, and spurring his horse 
to speed in a moment released him from their 
hands and restored him to the army; for the king 
was a very giant in the battle, and was every- 
where in the field — now here, now there, wherever 
the attack of the Turks raged the hottest. So 
bravely did he fight, that there was no one, how- 
ever gallant, that would not readily and deserv- 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 131 

edly yield to him the preeminence. On that day 
he performed the most gallant deeds on the 
furious army of the Turks, and slew numbers 
with his sword, which shone like lightning; some 
of them were cloven in two from their helmet to 
their teeth, whilst others lost their heads, arms, 
and other members, which were lopped off at a 
single blow. 

While the king was thus laboring with in- 
credible exertions in the fight, a Turk advanced 
towards him, mounted on a foaming steed. He 
had been sent by Saphadin, brother to Saladin, a 
liberal and munificent man if he had not rejected 
the Christian faith. This man now sent to the 
king two noble horses, requesting him earnestly 
to accept them and make use of them, and if he 
returned safe and sound out of that battle to 
remember the gift and recompense it in any man- 
ner he pleased. The king readily received the 
present, and afterwards nobly recompensed the 
giver. Such is bravery, cognizable even to an 
enemy. 

Fierce now raged the fight, when such num- 
bers attacked so few. The whole earth was 
covered with the javelins and arrows of the 
unbelievers; they threw them several at a time 
against our men, of whom many were wounded. 
Thus the weight of battle fell heavier on us than 
before, and the galley-men withdrew in the galleys 
which brought them, and so in their anxiety to be 
safe they sacrificed their character for bravery. 

The king went down to the shore where the 
men had taken refuge, and exhorted them to return 



132 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

to the battle and share with the rest whatever 
might befall them. Leaving five men as guards 
on board each galley, the king led back the rest 
to assist his hard-pressed army. And he no 
sooner arrived than with all his fury he fell upon 
the thickest ranks of the enemy, driving them back 
and routing them, so that even those who were at 
a distance and untouched by him were over- 
whelmed by the throng of the troops as they 
retreated. Never was there such an attack made 
by an individual. He pierced into the middle of 
the hostile army and performed the deeds of a 
brave and distinguished warrior. The Turks at 
once closed upon him and tried to overwhelm him. 

In the meantime our men, losing sight of the 
king, were fearful lest he should have been slain, 
and when one of them proposed that they should 
advance to find him, our lines could hardly con- 
tain themselves. But if by any chance the dis- 
position of our troops had been broken, without 
doubt they would all have been destroyed. 

What, however, was to be thought of the king 
who was hemmed in by the enemy, a single man 
opposed to so many thousands ? The hand of the 
writer faints to tell it, and the mind of the reader 
to hear it. Who ever heard of such a man? His 
bravery was ever of the highest order ; no adverse 
storm could sink it. He remained invincible, even 
in the midst of the enemy, and his body, as if it 
were made of brass, was impenetrable to any kind 
of weapon. In his right hand he brandished his 
sword, which in its rapid descent broke the ranks 
on either side of him. Such was his energy amid 



STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 133 

that host of Turks, that, fearing nothing, he 
destroyed all around him, mowing men down with 
his scythe as reapers mow down the corn with 
their sickles. Who could describe his deeds? 
Whoever felt one of his blows had no need of a 
second. Such was the energy of his courage that 
it seemed to rejoice at having found an occasion 
to display itself. The sword wielded by his 
powerful hand cut down men and horses alike, 
cleaving them to the middle. The more he saw 
himself separated from his men, and the more the 
enemy sought to overwhelm him, the more did his 
valor shine conspicuous. 

Among other brave deeds which he performed 
on that occasion, he slew by one marvelous stroke 
an admiral who was conspicuous above the rest of 
the enemy by his rich caparisons. This man by 
his gestures seemed to say that he was going to 
do something wonderful, and whilst he reproached 
the rest with cowardice, he put spurs to his horse 
and charged full against the king, who, waving his 
sword as he saw him coming, smote off at a single 
blow not only his head but his shoulder and right 
arm. The Turks were terror-stricken at the 
sight, and giving way on all sides scarcely dared 
to shoot at him from a distance with their arrows. 

The king now returned safe and unhurt to his 
friends, and encouraged them more than ever with 
the hope of victory. How were their minds raised 
from despair when they saw him coming safe out 
of the enemy's ranks! They knew not what had 
happened to him, but they knew that without him 
all the hopes of the Christian army would be in 



134 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

vain. The king's person was stuck all over with 
javelins, like a deer pierced by the hunters, and 
the trappings of his horse were thickly covered 
with arrows. Thns, like a brave soldier, he 
returned from the contest, and a bitter contest it 
was, for it had lasted from the morning sun to the 
setting sun. 

It may seem indeed wonderful and even in- 
credible that so small a body of men endured so 
long a conflict; but by God's mercy we cannot 
doubt the truth of it, for in that battle only one 
or two of our men were slain. But the number 
of the Turkish horses which lay dead on the fields 
is said to have exceeded fifteen hundred; and of 
the Turks themselves more than seven hundred 
were killed, and yet they did not carry back king 
Eichard, as they had boasted, as a present to 
Saladin. On the contrary, he and his brave fol- 
lowers performed so many deeds of valor in the 
sight of the Turks that the enemy shuddered to 
behold them. 

The Turkish army returned to Saladin, who is 
said to have ridiculed them by asking where 
Melech Richard was. * ' Which of you, ' ' continued 
he, " first seized him, and where is he? Why is 
he not produced?" To whom one of the Turks 
that came from the furthest countries of the earth, 
replied : " In truth, my lord, Melech Richard about 
whom you ask is not here. We have never heard 
since the beginning of the world that there ever 
was such a knight, so brave and so experienced 
in arms. In every deed at arms he is the fore- 
most. He is without rival, the first to advance, 




Richard, the Lion-hearted, setting sail for home, after his 
fruitless attempts to reach Jerusalem in the third crusade 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 135 

and the last to retreat. We did our best to seize 
him, but in vain, for no one can escape from his 
sword. His attack is dreadful; to engage with 
him is fatal, and his deeds are beyond human 
nature." 

From the toil and exertion of the battle, king 
Richard and several others who had exerted them- 
selves the most, fell ill — not only from the fatigue 
of the battle, but the smell of the corpses which 
so corrupted the neighborhood that they all nearly 
died. 

[A three-years truce with Saladin having been 
reduced to writing, and confirmed by oaths on 
both sides, the king went to Cayphas to get him- 
self cured. Increased disorder in England led 
him finally to set sail for home. 

Count de Joinville, in his memoir of Louis IX 
of France whom he accompanied to Palestine 
about sixty years later, says:] 

This Richard, king of England, performed 
such deeds of prowess when he was in the Holy 
Land that the Saracens, on seeing their horses 
frightened at a shadow or bush, cried out to them, 
"What, dost think king Richard is there V This 
they were accustomed to say from the many and 
many times Richard had conquered and van- 
quished them. 

In like manner, when the children of the Turks 
or Saracens cried, their mothers said to them, 
"Hush, hush! or I will bring king Richard of 
England to you," and from the fright these words 
caused, the little ones were instantly quiet. 



A Loyal Man's Memoir of 
Louis IX of France 

John, lord de Joinville, high seneschal of Champagne, whose 
loyal a count of saint Louis we are about to turn to, was born 
near the year 1220. What he did, and what he was, he tells in 
part as we go on with his story. We may know at the beginning, 
however, that he was about twenty-eight when he sailed upon the 
first crusade of king- Louis. 

At the very outset of this expedition for the Cross, the young 
lord from Champagne so pleased the king that Louis chose him to 
his service, and during the following years of wandering and of 
war, employed him in most important matters, esteemed him a 
wise and faithful counselor, and wished him always near his 
person. These pages which we take from his memoir of Louis 
have, therefore, not only value as the record of an eye-witness, 
but also they have weight as the account of an upright and think- 
ing man. 

LOUIS IX OF FRANCE 

I, JOHN, lord of Joinville, high steward of 
Champagne, do indite the life and most pions 
acts and sayings of my late lord, saint Louis 
of France, from what I personally saw or heard 
during the space of six whole years that I was in 
his company, as well in the holy expedition and 
pilgrimage beyond sea, as since our return thence. 
The holy king loved truth so much, that even 
to the Saracens and infidels, although they were 
his enemies, he would never lie, nor break his 
word in any thing he had promised them. 

With regard to his food he was extremely 
temperate ; for I never in my whole life heard him 

136 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 137 

express a wish for any delicacies in eating or 
drinking, like too many rich men; but he sat and 
took patiently whatever was set before him. He 
mixed his wine with water by measure, according 
to the strength of it. He once asked me when at 
Cyprus why I did not mix water with my wine? 
I answered what the physicians and surgeons had 
told me, that I had a large head and a cold 
stomach, which would not bear it. But the good 
king replied that they had deceived me, and 
advised me to add water; for that if I did not 
learn to do so when young, perhaps by drinking 
pure wine in my old age, I should frequently 
intoxicate myself ; and that it was a beastly thing 
for an honorable man to make himself drunk. 

In his conversation he was remarkably chaste ; 
for I never heard him, at any time, utter an inde- 
cent word, nor make use of the devil's name, 
which, however, is now very commonly uttered by 
every one. 

My good lord the king asked me one day if I 
should wish to be honored in this world, and 
afterward to gain paradise; to which I answered 
that I should wish it were so. "Then," replied 
he, "be careful never knowingly to do or say any 
thing disgraceful, that should it become public, 
you may not have to blush, and to be ashamed to 
say I have done this, or I have said that." In 
like manner he told me never to give the lie, or 
contradict rudely whatever might be said in my 
presence, unless it should be sinful or disgraceful 
to suffer it, for oftentimes contradiction causes 
coarse replies and harsh words, that bring on 



138 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

quarrels, which create bloodshed and are the 
means of the deaths of thousands. 

He also said that every one should dress and 
equip himself according to his rank in life, and 
his fortune, in order that the prudent and elders 
of this world may not reproach him by saying 
such a one has done too much, and that the youth 
may not remark that such a one has done too 
little, and dishonors his station in society. 

[After quelling internal disturbances and set- 
tling an attack made by Henry III of England:] 

The good king was taken grievously ill at 
Paris, and so bad was his state, that I have heard 
that one of the ladies who nursed him, thinking 
it was all over, wanted to cover his face with a 
cloth, but that another lady, on the opposite side 
of the bed (so God willed it), would not suffer 
his face to be covered, or buried as it were, de- 
claring continually that he was alive. 

During the conversation of these ladies, our 
Lord worked upon him, and restored to him his 
speech. The good king desired them to bring him 
a crucifix, which was done. When the good lady, 
his mother, heard that he had recovered his 
speech, she was in the utmost possible joy; but 
when she came and saw that he had put on the 
cross she was panic-struck, and seemed as if she 
would rather have seen him dead. 

In the like manner as the king had put on the 
cross, so did many knights. And I, John de 
Joinville, crossed the sea in a small ship which 
we hired. This event took place after Easter, in 
the year of grace 1248. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 139 

Before my departure I summoned all my men 
and vassals of Joinville, who came to me about 
the vigil of Easter-day. During that whole week 
I was occupied in feasts and banquets with my 
brother de Vancouleur, and all the rich men of 
that part of the country, where, after eating and 
drinking, we amused ourselves with songs and 
led a joyous life. When Friday came I addressed 
them thus: "Gentlemen, know that I am about 
to go to the Holy Land, and it is uncertain 
whether I may ever return. Should there be any 
of you, therefore, to whom I have done wrong, 
and who thinks he has cause for complaint, let 
him come forward ; for I am willing to make him 
amends, as I am accustomed to do to those who 
have complained of me or my people.' ' 

I did this according to the usual manner of 
my country and my lands. And in order that 
they might not be awed by my presence while they 
consulted together, I withdrew, and would only 
listen to what they might say to me without the 
restraint of fear. I likewise adopted this meas- 
ure, because I was unwilling to carry with me one 
single penny wrongfully. To fulfil any demands 
that might be made, I had mortgaged to friends 
a great part of my inheritance, so that there did 
not remain at the utmost more than twelve hun- 
dred livres of yearly revenue from my lands ; for 
my lady-mother was still living, who held the best 
of my estate in dower. 

When I was on the point of departure, John, 
lord d'Apremont, and the count de Salebrucke 
sent to me to inquire if I were willing to join 



140 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

parties and embark together, for that they were 
ready to march, and their company consisted of 
ten knights. I had set out with my nine knights 
and cheerfully assented, and we ordered a vessel 
to be hired for us at Marseilles, which carried us, 
our arms and horses. 

When I was nearly ready to set out I sent for 
the abbot of Cheminon, who was at that time 
considered as the most discreet man of all the 
White Monks,* to reconcile myself with him. He 
gave me my scarf and bound it on me, and like- 
wise put the pilgrim's staff in my hand. In- 
stantly after I quitted the castle of Joinville with- 
out ever reentering it until my return from 
beyond sea. I made pilgrimages to all the holy 
places in the neighborhood, such as Bliecourt, 
St. Urban and others near Joinville, on foot with- 
out shoes and in my shirt. But as I was jour- 
neying from Bliecourt to St. Urban, I was obliged 
to pass near the castle of Joinville ; I dared never 
turn my eyes that way for fear of feeling too 
great regret, and lest my courage should fail on 
leaving my two fine children and my fair castle 
of Joinville, which I loved in my heart. 

It was the month of August in this same year 
that we embarked at the rock of Marseilles, and 
the ports of the vessel were opened to allow the 
horses we intended carrying with us to enter. 
When we were all on board, the port was caulked 
and stopped up as close as a large tun of wine, 
because when the vessel was at sea, the port was 

* Carmelites, then first establishing their honses in France. Their 
habit was for a time white throughout. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 141 

under water. Shortly after the captain of the 
ship cried out to his people on its prow, "Is your 
work done? Are we ready?" They replied, 
"Yes; in truth, we are." 

Then the priests and clerks embarked, the 
captain made them mount to the castle of the 
ship and chant psalms in praise of God, that he 
might be pleased to grant us a prosperous voy- 
age. They all, with a loud voice, sang the beau- 
tiful hymn of "Veni Creator" from the beginning 
to the end ; and while they were singing the mari- 
ners set their sails in the name of God. Instantly 
after a breeze filled our sails and soon made us 
lose sight of land, so that we only saw sea and 
sky, and each day we were at a farther distance 
from the places from which we had set out. 

We found on our landing at Cyprus that the 
good king, saint Louis, was already there and 
had laid in provisions in great abundance. You 
would have taken his cellars, at a distance, for 
great houses formed of casks of wine placed one 
on the other, which his purveyors had bought two 
years before, and had left in the open fields. 
In like manner was the wheat, barley and other 
grain in large heaps, which, from their immense 
size, appeared like mountains ; and in truth many 
would have supposed them such; for the rains 
which had battered their sides had made the corn 
grow, so that there was nothing to be seen but 
green corn. When the army of the king came to 
remove the grain, in order to its being sent to 
Egypt, and to take off the crust of green corn, 



142 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

they found the corn underneath as fine and fresh 
as if it had just been threshed. 

As soon as the month of March* was come, it 
was proclaimed by orders of the king, that all 
vessels should be laden and ready to sail when- 
ever the king should command. All things being 
ready, the king and queen and their households 
embarked on board their different ships. On the 
Friday preceding Whitsunday, the king ordered 
every one to follow him on the morrow and pro- 
ceed to Egypt; and on the morrow, being Satur- 
day, every vessel made sail, which was a pleasant 
sight to see, for it seemed as if the whole sea, as 
far as the sight could reach, was covered with 
cloth, from the great quantity of sails that were 
spread to the wind, there being one thousand 
eight hundred vessels, great and small. 

A horrible wind that blew from Egypt made 
some of the ships alter their course, and separated 
them from the company of the king, and drove 
them on the coast of Acre and other strange 
countries at a great distance, so that the king 
did not see them again for a long time. He and 
his companions were much grieved at their loss, 
for they believed their men drowned, or in great 
danger at least. 

The king arrived with his fleet on the Thurs- 
day after Whitsuntide at Damietta, where a great 
company were waiting for us. On the shore we 
saw the whole force of the sultan, who were hand- 
some men to look at. The sultan wore arms of 
burnished gold of so fine a polish that when the 

* The year 1249. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 143 

sun shone on them he seemed like a sun himself. 
The tumult and noise they made with their horns 
and necaires* was frightful to hear, and seemed 
very strange to the French. 

The king perceiving this, called together his 
barons and counselors to consult on what should 
be done. They advised him to wait until the 
whole of his force should arrive; for he had not 
now with him a third part, owing, as I before 
said, to the contrariety of the wind. But the 
king would not consent, saying that by such con- 
duct he should encourage the enemy ; and likewise 
because there was not any port near in those seas 
whither he might retire, and wait in safety the 
return of those who had been dispersed by the 
storm. He added that a strong gust of wind 
might arise and separate them from each other 
in these foreign countries, as had happened to 
his other knights in Whitsunday last. 

We then began to sail after the boat of the 
king's large ship, and made for land; but when 
those attached to the king, who were hastening to 
land like ourselves, saw that we made more speed 
than they, they cried out for us to wait for the 
arrival of the standard of saint Denis. t But I 
would not attend to them and continued advan- 
cing towards a large battalion of Saracens and 
Turks consisting of six thousand men at least on 
horseback. The moment they saw us on shore 
they spurred their horses full gallop toward us; 

* Drums and cymbals. 

t That is, the vessel which bore the standard of saint Denis. This 
standard was no other than the ori flamme — the name given it because, 
slit up from the bottom and of a red color, when it fluttered in the wind 
it appeared at a distance to be a flame. It was fastened to a gilded lance. 



144 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

but we struck our spears and shields into the sand 
with their points against them, which as soon as 
they perceived, and that we were advancing in- 
land, they suddenly wheeled about and fled. 

On our right the galley bearing the standard 
of saint Denis arrived within a crossbow-shot of 
us. When the good king saint Louis learnt that 
the standard of saint Denis was landed, he quitted 
his vessel, which was already close to the shore, 
without waiting until he could disembark from it, 
and against the will of the legate, who was with 
him, leaped into the sea, which was up to his 
shoulders, and advanced to the land, his shield 
on his neck, his helmet on his head, and lance in 
hand. On joining his men, he observed the Sara- 
cen army and asked who they were. On being 
told they were Turks and Saracens, he wanted to 
make a course alone against them, but his attend- 
ants would not permit it, and made him remain 
quiet until his whole army should be assembled 
and armed. 

[After taking up quarters at Damietta, the 
king and his counselors determined to proceed 
to the capital city. During their march and 
building of roads and fording of the Nile, the 
crusaders were resolutely opposed by the Turks 
with stratagem, such engines of warfare as Greek 
fire, and covert attack and open battle. Our 
chronicler writes of saint Louis' great valor:] 

You may believe me when I say that the good 
king performed that day the most gallant deeds 
that ever I saw in any battle. It was said that 
had it not been for his personal exertions, the 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 145 

whole army would have been destroyed. But I 
believe that the great courage he naturally pos- 
sessed was that day doubled by the power of 
God. For he forced himself wherever he saw his 
men in any distress, and gave such blows with 
battle-axe and sword, it was wonderful to behold. 

The lord de Courtenay and sir John de Salenay 
one day told me that at this engagement six 
Turks caught hold of the bridle of the king's 
horse, and were leading him away; but this 
virtuous prince exerted himself with such bravery 
in fighting the six Turks, that he alone freed him- 
self from them; and that many seeing how val- 
iantly he defended himself, and the great courage 
he displayed, took greater courage themselves, 
and abandoning the passage they were guarding, 
hastened to support the king. 

After the two battles I have mentioned, which 
were marvelously sharp and severe, the one on 
Shrove Tuesday and the other on the first Friday 
in Lent,* another great misfortune befell our 
army. At the end of eight or ten days the bodies 
of those who had been slain in these two engage- 
ments, and thrown into the Nile, rose to the top 
of the water. These bodies floated down the river 
until the} 7 came to the small bridge that communi- 
cated with each part of our army. The arch of 
the bridge was so low it almost touched the water, 
and prevented the bodies passing underneath. 
The river was covered with them from bank to 
bank, so that the water could not be seen a good 
stone's throw from the bridge upward. 

* Year 1250. 
10 



146 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

The king hired one hundred laborers, who 
were full eight days in separating the bodies of 
the Christians from the Saracens. The Saracen 
bodies they thrust under the bridge by main force, 
and floated them down to the sea; but the Chris- 
tians they buried in deep graves, one over the 
other. God knows how great was the stench, and 
what misery it was to see the bodies of such noble 
and worthy persons lying so exposed. I wit- 
nessed the chamberlain of the late count d'Artois 
seeking the body of his master, and many more 
hunting after the bodies of their friends; but I 
never heard that any who were thus seeking their 
friends amidst such an infectious smell ever 
recovered their healths. 

You must know that we ate no fish the whole 
Lent, but eelpouts, which is a gluttonous fish and 
feeds on dead bodies. From this cause, and from 
the bad air of the country where it scarcely ever 
rains a drop, the whole army was infected by a 
shocking disorder, which dried up the flesh on 
our legs to the bone, and our skins became tanned 
as black as the ground, or like an old boot that 
has long lain behind a coffer. In addition to 
this miserable disorder, those affected by it had 
another sore complaint in the mouth, from eating 
such fish. This increased so much in the army 
that the barbers were forced to cut away very 
large pieces of flesh from the gums to enable their 
patients to eat. It was pitiful to hear the cries 
and groans of those on whom this operation was 
performing, and I cannot express the great con- 
cern all felt who heard them. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 147 

[At this juncture* negotiations were begun 
for the surrender of the realm of Jerusalem to 
the king, he in turn to restore Damietta to the 
sultan. Before the treaty were reached, however, 
the ailing Louis was captured by the Saracens, 
and after devious experiences of oriental treach- 
ery, ransomed. Having delivered Damietta to 
the Turks, he sailed thence to Acre.] 

While we were on our voyage to Acre, on 
account of illness I was always seated near the 
king; and it was then he related to me how he 
had been taken, and how, through the aid of God, 
he had accomplished his own ransom and ours. 
I was likewise obliged to tell him how I had been 
captured on the river, and how a Saracen had 
saved my life. The king said I ought to feel 
myself under the greatest obligations to our Lord 
who had delivered me from such imminent dan- 
gers. At times the good and holy king bewailed 
bitterly the death of his brother, the count 
d'Artois. 

On the king's arrival before Acre, the inhab- 
itants of that city came out in grand procession 
to meet him on the seashore, and received him 
with much joy. Soon after the king sent for me 
and expressly commanded me, as I valued his 
love, to come and eat with him morning and 
evening, until he should determine whether to 
return to France or to remain there. 

I was lodged with the rector of Acre. Of all 
my servants, there was but one that was not con- 
fined to his bed with sickness like myself; nor 

* The year is 1250. 



148 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

had I any to comfort me, by once offering me 
something to drink. The more to enliven me I 
saw daily pass my window twenty corpses for 
bnrial; and when I heard the chant "Libera me, 
Domine," I shed floods of tears, and cried ont to 
God that he wonld mercifully save me and my 
household from the pestilence that then raged. 
And this he did. 

Not long after the king's arrival at Acre he 
summoned his brothers, and all the other nobles, 
on a certain Sunday, and, when assembled, he 
addressed them: "My lords, I have called you 
together to give you some news from France. In 
truth my lady-mother, the queen, has sent for me, 
and it is necessary that I return with the utmost 
haste, for my kingdom is in great danger, inas- 
much as there exists neither peace nor truce with 
the king of England. The people here wish to 
detain me, assuring me that if I depart their 
country will be destroyed, and insist on following 
me. I beg you will maturely consider what I have 
said, and give me your opinions within eight 
days. ' ' 

On the Sunday following we all presented our- 
selves before the king to give him our opinions, 
as he had charged us, whether he should depart 
or stay. Sir Guion de Malvoisin was our spokes- 
man and said, "Sire, my lords your brothers, and 
the other nobles now present, have fully consid- 
ered your situation, and they are of opinion that 
you cannot remain longer in this country with 
honor to yourself or profit to your kingdom. 
For, in the first place, of all the knights whom 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 149 

you led to Cyprus, amounting to two thousand 
eight hundred, not one hundred remain. Sec- 
ondly, you have not any habitation in this coun- 
try, nor have you army or money. For these 
reasons, which we have maturely weighed, we 
unanimously advise that you return to France to 
reinforce yourself with men-at-arms, and supply 
yourself with money, so that you may hastily 
repair again hither and take vengeance on the 
enemies of God and of his holy religion." 

The king was not pleased with this advice of 
sir Guy, but demanded from each person his 
private opinion on the business, beginning with 
the counts d'Anjou, de Poitiers, and the other 
nobles near him. All of them replied they agreed 
in the advice of sir Guy de Malvoisin. The count 
de Japhe was hard pressed to give his opinion, 
for he had castles and possessions in those coun- 
tries; but when the king insisted on having it, 
he said that if the king could keep the field, it 
would redound more to his honor to remain than 
thus discomfited to return. I, who was fourteenth 
in rank, answered in my turn that I was of the 
same opinion with the count de Japhe ; moreover, 
giving these additional reasons, that it was 
reported the king had not as yet expended any of 
the money from the royal treasury, but had em- 
ployed that which was in the hands of the clerks 
of finance ; and that the king should seek powerful 
reinforcements of men-at-arms, who, when they 
should learn the high pay the king was willing to 
give, would hasten to join him from all parts, 
and by this means the king might deliver the 



150 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

multitude of poor prisoners who had been cap- 
tured in the service of God, which would never 
be the case unless it were done as now proposed. 

You must know that at this moment none 
reproved me for my opinion, but many began to 
weep, for there was scarcely one among us who 
had not some of his relations in the prisons of the 
Saracens. 

When all had delivered their opinions, the king 
was much confounded at their diversity, and took 
eight days more to declare which he should fol- 
low. When we had left the presence of the king, 
the great nobles made a violent attack on me, and 
through jealousy and envy said, "Ha! certainly 
the king must be mad if he do not follow your 
opinion, lord de Joinville, in preference to that 
of the whole French council." But to this I made 
not any reply. 

The tables were soon laid for dinner, and the 
king, who had usually made me sit down near 
him when his brothers were absent, and during 
the repasts had conversed with me, did not now 
open his lips, nor even turn his face toward me. 
I then thought he was displeased with me for 
having said that he had not employed his own 
money, when he had expended such very large 
sums. After he had said grace, and returned 
thanks to God for his dinner, I retired to a win- 
dow near the head of the king's bed, and, passing 
my hand through the grating, remained there 
musing. I said to myself that if the king should 
now return to France, I would go to the prince 
of Antioch, who was a relation of mine. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 151 

While I was thus meditating, the king leant 
on my shoulder, and held my head between his 
hands. I thought it was sir Philip de Nemours, 
who had been fretting me all the day for the advice 
which I had given the king, and said to him, ' ' Sir 
Philip, do leave me quiet in my misfortune." 
As I turned round, the king covered my face with 
his hands and I then knew it was the king from 
an emerald on his finger. I wished to make some 
reparation, as one that had improperly spoken; 
but the king made me be silent, and continued, 
"Now, lord de Joinville, tell me how you, who are 
so young a man, could have the courage to advise 
me to remain in these countries contrary to the 
opinion of all my greatest nobles ?" I replied 
that if I had advised him well, he should follow 
it; if the contrary, he ought not to think more 
on what I had said. "And will you remain with 
me, if I should stay?" "Yes, certainly," an- 
swered I, "were it at my own or at another's 
expense.' ' The king said that he was pleased 
with the advice I had given, but ordered me to 
tell this to no one. 

I was so rejoiced that whole week with what 
he had told me, that I was insensible to my ill- 
ness, and defended myself boldly against the 
other lords when they attacked me. 

During the king's residence at Acre, there 
came to him ambassadors from the prince of the 
Assassins, called the Old Man of the Mountain.* 

* The Old Man of the Mountain ruled over the Assassins, who 
inhabited the mountains of Phoenicia. It was said he had several fine 
and strong palaces surrounded by high walls, well guarded, with entrance 
but by one gate. In these palaces were confined children of his subjects, 
who were taught various languages, and that they must obey the com- 



152 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

On the entrance of the ambassadors the king 
caused them to be seated to deliver their message ; 
when one of the chiefs began by asking the king 
if he were acquainted with their lord, the prince 
of the mountain. The king said he was not; he 
had never seen him, although he had heard much 
spoken of him. The chief continued, "Sire, since 
you have heard my lord spoken of, I wonder much 
that you have not sent him such of your people 
as should have made him your friend, in like 
manner as the emperor of Germany, the king of 
Hungary and many other princes have yearly 
done ; for they know well that they would not be 
allowed to exist or reign but during his good 
pleasure. For this cause he has despatched us 
hither to advertise you that he wills you should 
act in the like manner, or at least that you acquit 
him of the tribute he pays annually to the grand 
master of the Temple,* or of the Hospital,! there 
would soon be others as good, and for this reason 
he is unwilling to risk his people's lives where 
little is to be gained.' ' 

The king replied that he would consider what 
they had said, and if they would return in the 
evening they should have his answer. When they 
came again before the king, they found the mas- 

mands of their prince since through him alone could they attain paradise. 
When their master presented them for examination by the prince, and 
they had pledged themselves to obey his orders in hopes of gaining 
paradise, the prince then gave them a large and sharp knife and sent 
them forth to assassinate those whom he hated. They would, if possible, 
whatever might happen to them, execute his commission. 

* Knights of the Temple, or Knights Templar, a military order, 
founded in Jerusalem in 1118, with headquarters at the Crusaders' 
palace. 

f Order of the Hospitalers of Saint John of Jerusalem, military monks 
under whose auspices a hospital was kept for a time in Jerusalem. Also 
called Knights of Malta. 






STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 153 

ter of the Temple on one side of him, and the 
master of the Hospital on the other. The king 
on their entrance ordered them to repeat what 
they had before said to him, as well as the demand 
which they had made in the morning. They re- 
plied that they shonld not think it right to repeat 
what they had said, except in the presence of snch 
as had heard them in the morning. The masters 
of the Temple, and of the Hospital, on this, or- 
dered them to repeat it. The chief then repeated 
what he had said before to the king. The masters 
on hearing it bade them come and confer with 
them in the morning, and they should then know 
the king's pleasure. 

On the morrow, when they came before the 
masters of the Temple and Hospital, they were 
told that their lord had foolishly and impu- 
dently sent such a message to the king of France, 
and if they were not invested with the character 
of ambassadors, the king would have them thrown 
into the filthy sea of Acre and drowned, despite 
their masters. "And we command you," con- 
tinued the masters, "to return to your lord, and 
to come back within fifteen days with such letters 
from your prince that the king shall be contented 
with him and with you. ' ' 

Before the fifteen days were expired, the same 
ambassadors returned from the Old Man of the 
Mountain, and addressing the king, said, "Sire, 
we come back from our lord, who informs you that 
as the shirt is the part of dress nearest to the 
body, he sends you this, his shirt as a gift, or a 
symbol that you are the king for whom he has the 



154 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

greatest affection; and for a further assurance 
of it, here is his ring that lie sends you, which is 
of pure gold and hath his name engraven on it; 
and with this ring our lord espouses you, and 
understands that henceforward you are as one of 
the fingers of his hand." 

Among other presents sent to the king was an 
elephant of crystal; there were also figures of 
men of crystal, the whole set in fine amber with 
borders of pure gold. When the ambassadors 
opened the case containing all these fine things, 
the whole apartment was instantly embalmed with 
the sweet odor of their perfumes. 

The king, desirous not to be behindhand in 
making a return for these presents from the Old 
Man of the Mountain, sent to him by his am- 
bassadors and by father Yves Le Breton, who 
understood the Saracenic, great quantities of 
scarlet robes, cups of gold and other vessels of 
silver. 

[King Louis continued to govern the French 
army and its followers in Palestine, leading to 
divers battles with the hostile hordes of the land, 
and instituting the siege of Joppa. till the year 
1254, when upon the death of his "lady-mother" 
he took the remnants of his force back to France, 
and thus ended his first crusade. He never 
gained Jerusalem. 



What Bonfires meant in the 
Thirteenth Century 

In this little story an old chronicler tells us of democratic 
good fellowship in olden times. 

BONFIRES IN THE THIRTEENTH 
CENTURY 

IN the year 1253, when Henry III was king of 
England, he commanded watches to be kept 
in the cities and borough towns, for the better 
observing of peace and quietness amongst his 
people. 

And in the months of June and July, on the 
eves of festival days, and on the same festival 
days in the evenings, after the sun- setting, there 
were usually made bonfires in the streets. Every 
man bestowed wood or labor towards them. 

The wealthier sort also before their doors, 
near to the said bonfires, would set out tables on 
the eve, and furnish them with sweet bread and 
good drink. And on the festival days they would 
furnish them plentifully with meats and drinks, 
whereunto they would invite their neighbors and 
passers-by also to sit and be merry with them in 
great familiarity, and praise God for his benefits 
bestowed on them. 

These were called bonfires because of the good 
feeling they led to among neighbors — those being 

155 



156 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

before at controversy were there by the labor of 
others reconciled, and those bitter enemies becom- 
ing loving friends. They were called bonfires 
also for the virtue that a great fire hath to pnrge 
the infection of the air. 

On the eve of John the Baptist's day,* and the 
day of Peter and Paul,f the apostles, every 
man's door was shadowed with green birch, long 
fennel, saint John's wort, orpin, white lilies and 
such like, and garnished with garlands of beauti- 
ful flowers; with lamps of glass also which had 
oil burning in them all the night. And some 
citizens hung out branches of iron curiously 
wrought, containing hundreds of lamps alight at 
once — which made a goodly show. 

* Midsummer day, the 24th day of June, according to legends of the 
church. 

t The 29th of June, according to legend. 






Border Warfare between English 

and Scots in the Fourteenth 

Century : and how Robert 

Bruce died 

The story tells itself without a foreword. But in introducing 
it into this book we take up him who was doubtless the greatest 
of all our chroniclers, Froissart, a garrulous scribe and a gentle 
man, superstitious according to the practices of his time, and 
taking much on floating report, but withal a man with a heart 
beating under his mantle and a brain thinking under his hood 
the best thought of his day. He died about the year 1410 and 
somewhat over seventy years of age. 

From the time he was twenty Froissart traveled about the 
Europe of his neighborhood — that is, France, England, Scotland, 
Holland, Belgium and Italy of our day, listening to the talk of 
gentle men and gentle women — he reports none beneath the rank 
of gentleman — making his notes and writing his chronicles. He 
had a way with him of sucking information from those he met. 
Like the newspaper interviewer of our time he was newsgathering 
and no unflinching American reporter ever collected more infor- 
mation than the mild Froissart from his contemporaries. He 
must have been a delightful companion, and as we read we do 
not wonder that greater and lesser courts of his day kept him, 
although a willing guest, and gave him money upon his leaving. 

He wrote in French. His great work had the good fortune 
to find a translator into English of like tastes and not unlike 
capacity, lord Berners, member of the court of Henry VITI and 
a trusted officer of the king. It was at the instance of king 
Henry that lord Berners made his translation of Froissart, and 
this translation is now one of our treasured English classics. 
From it are taken the following stories. 

BOEDEE WAEFAEE 

THE young king Edward III, who in his 
days after was right fortunate and happy, 
was crowned in the year 1326, on Christ- 
mas day, and then the young king was about the 

157 



158 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

age of sixteen. And they held the feast and 
greatly feasted sir John of Hainault and all the 
princes and nobles of his country, and there were 
given to him and his company many rich jewels. 
And so he — sir John — and his company, both 
lords and ladies, tarried with solace till the 
Twelfth day. 

After that passed the winter and the Lent 
season till Easter, and the king and the queen his 
mother, and all the realm was in good peace all 
this season. Then so it fortuned that king 
Eobert* of Scotland, who had been right hardy 
and had suffered much travail against English- 
men, and oftentimes had been chased and discom- 
fited in the time of Edward the first, grandfather 
to this young king Edward the third, was sick of 
the great evil and malady.f When he knew the 
adventures that were lately fallen in England, 
how the old king Edward II was taken and de- 
posed from his royalty and his crown, and certain 
of his counselors beheaded and put to destruc- 
tion, then he bethought him that he would defy 
the young king because he was young, and the 
barons of the realm were not all of one accord, 
as it was said. And so about Easter in the year 
1327, he sent his defiance to the young king and to 
all the realm, sending them word that he would 
enter into the realm of England and burn before 
him as he had done beforetimes. 

When the king and his council perceived that 
they were defied, they caused it to be made known 

* Robert Bruce. 

t Commonly supposed to be leprosy. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 159 

over all the realm, and commanded that all the 
nobles and all other should be ready appareled, 
every man after his estate, and that they should 
be by Ascension day next after at the town of 
York, standing northward. 

And the king and the lords of England and 
more than sixty thousand men of war lay at York. 
And the victuals were never the dearer, as well 
of fowl as of other victuals, for ever they had a 
penny-worth for a penny. And there was daily 
brought before their lodgings hay, oats and litter, 
whereof they were well served for their horses, 
and at a meetly price. 

And they had knowledge from the king that 
every man should provide for carts and tents to 
lie in the field, and for all necessaries thereto 
belonging, to the intent to draw toward Scotland. 
And when every man was ready appareled, the 
king and all his barons went out of the city, 
and the first night they lodged six miles for- 
ward. And there the king abode two days 
and two nights, tarrying for all them that were 
behind, and to be well advised that they lacked 
nothing. 

And on the third day they dislodged and went 
forward till they came to the city of Durham, a 
day's journey within the county called Northum- 
berland, which at that time was a savage and a 
wild country, full of deserts and mountains, and 
a right poor country of everything saving of 
beasts. Through the county runneth a river full 
of flint and great stones, called the water of Tyne. 
And on this river standeth the town and castle of 



160 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

Carlisle, which sometime was king Arthur's, who 
held his court there oftentimes. And at Carlisle 
was the lord Hereford and the lord Mowbray, who 
were governors there to defend the passage 
against the Scots. For the Scots could not enter 
into England but they must pass this said river 
in one place or another. The Englishmen could 
hear no tidings of the Scots till they were come 
to the entry of the said country. The Scots were 
passed this river so privily that they of Carlisle 
knew nothing thereof. 

The Scottish men are right hardy and sore 
travailing in harness and in wars. For when 
they will enter into England, within a day and a 
night they will drive their whole host twenty- 
four miles, for they are all a-horseback, without 
it be the camp-followers and laggers of the host 
who follow after afoot. The knights and squires 
are well horsed, and the common people and others 
on little hackneys and geldings; and they carry 
with them no carts nor chariots, for the diversities 
of the mountains that they must pass through in 
county of Northumberland. They take with them 
no purveyance of bread or wine, for their usage 
and soberness is such in times of war that they 
will pass in the journey a great long time with 
flesh half sodden,* without bread, and drink of 
the river water, and they neither care for pots 
nor pans, for they seethe beastsf in their own 
skins. They are ever sure to find plenty of beasts 
in the country that they will pass through. 

* Boiled. 

f That is, they boiled the flesh. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 161 

Therefore they carry with them none other pro- 
vision, but on their horse between the saddle and 
the panel they truss a flat stone, and behind the 
saddle they will have a little sack full of oatmeal 
to the intent that when they have eaten of the 
sodden flesh, then they lay this flat stone on the 
fire and temper a little of the oatmeal ; and when 
the stone is hot they cast of the thin paste there- 
on, and so make a little cake in manner of a 
cracknell or biscuit,* and that they eat to com- 
fort withal their stomachs. "Wherefore it is no 
great marvel that they make greater journeys 
than other people do. 

And in this manner were the Scots entered 
into the said country, and wasted and burnt all 
about as they went, and took great number of 
beasts. They were to the number of four thou- 
sand men of arms, knights and squires, mounted 
on good horses, and other ten thousand men of 
war were armed after their guise, right hardy 
and fierce, mounted on little hackneys which were 
never tied nor kept at hard meat, but let go to 
pasture in the fields and bushes. 

They had two good captains, for king Eobert 
of Scotland, who in his days had been hardy and 
prudent, had made one of his captains a gentle 
prince and a valiant in arms, called the earl of 
Moray, and the other the lord James Douglas, 
who was reputed the most hardy knight and 
greatest adventurer in all the realm of Scotland. 
These two lords were renowned as chief in all 
deeds of arms and great prowess in all Scotland. 

* These are the well-known oatmeal cakes of the Scots. 
11 



162 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

When the king of England and his host had 
seen and heard of the fires that the Scots had 
made in England, at once was cried alarm, and 
every man commanded to dislodge and follow 
after the marshals' banners. Then every man 
drew to the field ready appareled to fight. 
There were ordered three great battalions afoot, 
and to every battalion two wings of five hundred 
men of arms, knights and squires. So they ad- 
vanced, well ranged and in good order, and fol- 
lowed the Scots by the sign of the smoke that they 
made with burning. And thus they followed all 
that day till it was near night. 

Then the host lodged them in a wood by a 
little river side, there to rest and abide their car- 
riages and purveyances. And at that day the 
Scots had burnt and wasted and pillaged the coun- 
try within five miles of the English host. But 
the Englishmen could not overtake them. 

And the next day in the morning all the host 
armed them and displayed their banners on the 
field, every man ready appareled in his own 
battalion, and so advanced without disordering 
all the day through mountains and valleys. But 
for all that they could never approach near to the 
Scots, who went wasting the country before them. 
And when it drew night, the men afoot were so 
sore travailed that they could not endure to labor 
any further that day. And when the lords saw 
that their labor in following the Scots was in 
vain, it was determined by great advice and 
counsel that all the host should move at mid- 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 163 

night and make haste in the morning to the intent 
to stop the passage of the river from the Scots. 

To this conclusion all the host was accorded, 
and so supped and lodged as well as they might 
that night, and every man was warned to be ready 
at the first sounding of the trumpet, and at the 
second blast every man to arm him without delay, 
and at the third every man quickly to mount on 
their horses and to draw under their own stand- 
ard and banner ; and every man to take with him 
but one loaf of bread, and to truss it behind him 
on his horse. It was also determined that they 
should leave behind them all their loose harness 
and all manner of carriages, for they thought 
surely to fight with the Scots the next day. 

Thus it was set in order, and so it was accom- 
plished. For about midnight every man was 
ready and appareled: few had slept. As great 
haste as they made, ere they were ranged in 
battle line the day began to appear. Then they 
advanced in all haste through mountains, valleys 
and rocks. And on the highest of these hills and 
on the plains of these valleys there were mar- 
velous great marshes and dangerous passages, 
and it was great marvel that much people had not 
been lost, for they rode ever still forward and 
never tarried one for another. For whosoever 
fell in any of these marshes with much pain could 
get any aid to help them out again. 

Thus rode all that day the young king of Eng- 
land by mountains and deserts without finding 
any highway, town or village. And when it was 
against night, they came to the river Tyne, to the 



164 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

same place where the Scots had passed over into 
England, thinking to themselves that the Scots 
must needs repass again the same way. Then 
the king of England and his host passed over the 
same river by fording, and with much pain and 
travail, for the passage was full of great stones. 
And they lodged them that night by the river side, 
and by that time the sun was gone to rest. And 
there were but few among them that had either 
axe or hook, or any instrument to cut down any 
wood to make their lodgings withal. And there 
were many that had lost their own company and 
wist not where they were. Some of the footmen* 
were far behind and wist not well what way to 
take. 

All this night they lay by this river side, still 
in their harness, holding their horses by their 
reins in their hands, for they wist not whereunto 
to tie them. Thus their horses did eat no meat 
all that night; nor the day before. They had no 
oats for forage for them. Nor had the people of 
the host sustenance all that day and night, but 
every man his loaf that he carried behind him, 
the which was sore wet with the sweat of the 
horses. And they drank no other drink but the 
water of the river, without it were some of 
the lords that had carried bottles with them. Nor 
had they fire or light, for they had nothing to 
make light withal, without it were some of the 
lords that had torches brought with them. 

In this great trouble and danger they passed 
all that night, their armor still on their backs, 

* Infantry. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 165 

their horses ready saddled. And when the day 
began to appear they trusted to find some redress 
for themselves and their horses, or else to fight 
with the enemies. And all that day it rained so 
fast that the river and passage was waxen great 
and risen so high that ere it were noon none 
might pass the passage again. They could not 
send to know where they were, nor where to have 
forage or litter for their horses, nor bread nor 
drink for their own sustenance. So all that night 
they were fain to fast, nor had their horses any- 
thing but leaves of trees and herbs. They cut 
down boughs of trees with their swords to tie 
their horses and to make themselves lodges. 

And about noon some poor folks of the coun- 
try were found, and they said how they were then 
fourteen miles from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and 
eleven miles from Carlisle, and there was no town 
nearer wherein they might find anything to do 
them ease. When this was showed the king and 
lords of his council, at once were sent horses and 
sumpters to fetch provision. And there was a 
cry in the king's name in the town of Newcastle 
that whosoever would bring bread or any other 
victual should be paid therefor a good price, and 
that they should be conducted to the host in safe- 
guard. The next day by noon such as had been 
sent returned again to the host with such victual 
as they could get, and that not overmuch. And 
with them came other folks of the country with 
little nags charged with bread evil baken, and 
other provision to sell in the host, whereby great 
part of the host were well refreshed and eased. 



166 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

And thus they continued day by day the space 
of eight days, abiding every day the returning 
again of the Scots, who knew no more where the 
English host lay than they knew where they were. 
Three days and three nights, as we have seen, 
they were without bread, light or fodder, or any 
manner of provision for horse or man. And after 
the space of four days a loaf of bread was sold 
for a sixpence which was worth but a penny. 
Yet there was such a rage of famine that men 
took victuals out of one another's hands, whereby 
rose divers battles and strifes. 

Besides all these mischiefs, it never ceased to 
rain the whole week, whereby their saddles, sad- 
dlecloths and girths were all rotten and broken, 
and most of the horses hurt on their backs. Nor 
had they whereby to shoe those that were unshod. 
Nor had they whereby to cover themselves from 
the rain and cold but green bushes and their 
armor, and nothing to make fire of withal but 
green boughs which would not burn because of 
the rain. 

In this great mischief they were all the week 
without hearing any word of the Scots, whereby 
great noise and murmur began to rise in the host. 
"Wherefore it was ordained by the king and his 
council, and a cry made throughout the host, that 
whosoever could bring the king certain knowl- 
edge where the Scots were should have for his 
labor a hundred pounds of land to him and his 
heirs forever, and be made a knight of the king's 
hand. 

When this cry was made divers English 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 167 

knights and squires, for covetousness of winning 
this promise, passed the river in great peril and 
rode forth through the mountains. The next 
morning the host dislodged and rode fair and 
easily all day, for they were but evil appareled. 
And they repassed the river with much pain and 
travail, for the water was deep because of the 
rains, wherefore many did swim and some were 
drowned. 

And when they were all over they lodged, and 
there they found forage and a little village which 
the Scots had burnt. And the next day they 
departed thence and passed over hills and dales. 
And the third day they rode forth. And again 
the fourth in like manner. 

And about the hour of nine in the morning 
there came a squire fast riding toward the king 
and said, "And it like your grace, I have brought 
you perfect tidings of the Scots, your enemies. 
They be within three miles of you, lodged on a 
great mountain. They know no more tidings of 
you than you of them. Sir, I approached so near 
to them that I was taken prisoner and brought 
before the lords of their host. And there I 
showed them tidings of you and how ye seek them 
to have battle. And the lords did quit me of my 
ransom and prison, when I showed how your 
grace had promised a hundred pounds sterling 
of rent to him who brought first tidings of them 
to you. And they made me promise that I should 
not rest till I had showed you this tidings, for 
they said they had as great desire to fight with 



168 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

you as ye had with them ; and there shall ye find 
them without fault." 

As soon as the king had heard this tidings, at 
once he assigned a hundred pounds sterling of 
rent to the squire according to his promise, and 
made him knight with his own hands before all 
the host. And when they had rested them, and 
taken repast, the trumpet sounded to horse and 
every man mounted, and the banners and stand- 
ards ranged as well as they might, followed this 
new-made knight through mountains and dales, 
ever ready to fight. And about noon they were 
so near the Scots that each of them might clearly 
see the other. 

And as soon as the Scots saw them they issued 
out of their lodges afoot and set in order three 
great battalions in the declivity of the hill, the 
first two at the two corners of the mountain, join- 
ing to the rocks, so that none might well mount 
upon the hill to assail them but the Scots would 
be ever ready to beat with stones the assailants. 
And at the foot of the mountain ran a great river* 
full of rocks and stones so that none might pass 
over without great jeopardy. 

And there were heralds of arms sent to the 
Scots, giving them knowledge that if they would 
come and pass the river, the English would 
draw back from the river and give them sufficient 
place to arrange their host. But when the Scots 
heard this they took counsel among themselves 
and anon answered the heralds and said, "Sirs, 
your king and your lords see well how we be here 

* The Were. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 169 

in this realm and have burnt and wasted the 
country, and if they be displeased therewith, let 
them amend it when they will, for here we will 
abide as long as it shall please us." 

As soon as the king of England heard that 
answer, it was at once cried that all the host 
should lodge there that night. And so the host 
lodged there that night with much pain on the 
hard ground and stones, always still armed. 
They had no stakes nor rods to tie withal their 
horses, nor forage, nor bush to make withal any 
fire. 

And the next morning the lords of England 
ranged again their force as they had done the 
day before; and the Scots in like wise ordered 
their forces. Thus both the hosts stood in array 
till near noon. The Scots made never semblant 
to come to the English host to fight with them, 
nor in likewise the Englishmen to them. And 
after noon was past, the lords of England com- 
manded every man to draw to their lodging, for 
they saw well the Scots would not fight with them. 

In like manner thus they did for three days 
together, and the Scots in like case kept still their 
mountains. Howbeit, there was skirmishing on 
both parties, and divers slain and prisoners 
taken. And every night the Scots made great 
fires and great noise, with shouting and blowing 
of horns. The intention of the Englishmen was 
to hold the Scots there in manner as besieged, 
thinking to have famished them. The English 
knew well by such prisoners as they had taken 
that the Scots had neither bread nor salt, nor 



170 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

other provision, save of beasts they had great 
plenty which they had taken in the country, and 
might eat at their pleasure without bread — which 
was an evil diet. They lacked oaten meal to 
make cakes withal. 

And in the morning the fourth day the Eng- 
lishmen looked on the mountain where the Scots 
were, and they could see no creature for the 
Scots were departed at midnight. Then were 
sent men a-horseback and a-foot over the river 
to know where they had gone. And about noon 
they found them lodged on another mountain, 
stronger than the other was, by the same river 
side, and where a great wood on one side allowed 
them to come and go secretly. Then at once the 
English host dislodged and drew to that part, 
and lodged them on another hill against the Scots, 
and ranged their forces and made semblant to 
come to them. Then the Scots issued out of their 
lodges and set their forces along the river side 
against them. But they would never come toward 
the English host, and the Englishmen could not 
go to them without being slain or taken at an 
advantage. 

Thus they lodged each against other the space 
of eighteen days; and oftentimes the king of 
England sent to them his heralds of arms, offer- 
ing them that if they would come and fight with 
him he would give them place sufficient on the 
plain ground to pitch their field; or else let them 
give him room and place, and he assured them he 
would come over the river and fight with them. 
But the Scots would never agree thereto. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 171 

Thus both the hosts suffered much pain and 
travail the space that they lay so near together. 

And the first night that the English host was 
thus lodged on the second mountain, the lord 
James Douglas took with him about two hun- 
dred men of arms and passed the river far off 
from the host, so that he was not perceived, and 
suddenly he broke into the English host about 
midnight, crying " Douglas! Douglas! ye shall all 
die, ye English!" and he slew ere he ceased three 
hundred men, some in their beds and some scant 
ready. And he struck his horse with the spurs 
and came to the king's own tent, always crying, 
"Douglas!" and struck asunder two or three 
cords of the king's tent and so departed, and in 
that retreat he lost some of his men. He returned 
again to the Scots so that there was no more done. 
But every night the English host made good and 
sure watch, and ever the most part of the host lay 
in their harness. 

In conclusion, the last day of twenty-four 
there was a Scottish knight taken, who against 
his will showed to the lords of England what 
state and condition the Scots were in — showed 
for fear of his life how the lords of Scotland were 
accorded among themselves that the same night 
every man should be ready armed to follow the 
banners of the lord James Douglas, and every 
man should keep him secret. But the knight 
could not show them what they intended to do. 

Then the lords of England drew them to coun- 
cil, and there it was thought among them that 
the Scots might in the night-time come and assail 



172 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

their host on both sides, to adventure either to 
live or to die, for they could endure no longer the 
famine that was among them. Then the English 
lords set in order three lines of battle without 
their lodgings, and made great fires, thereby to 
see the better. 

Thus they stood all that night, every man 
under his own standard and banner. And in the 
breaking of the day two trumpeters of Scotland 
met with the English scout-watch who took the 
trumpeters and brought them before the king of 
England and his council, and then they said 
openly, "Sirs, what do ye watch here? Ye lose 
but your time, for on the jeopardy of our heads 
the Scots are gone and departed before midnight, 
and are at least three or four miles on their way. 
And they left us two behind to the intent that we 
should show this to you." 

Then the English lords said that it were but 
folly to follow the Scots, for they could not over- 
take them. Yet for doubt of deceiving they still 
kept the trumpeters privily and caused their 
forces to stand still arranged. And when they 
saw for truth that the Scots were departed, then 
every man had leave to return to his lodging, and 
the lords took counsel what it was best to do. 

In the meantime divers of the English host 
mounted on their horses and passed over the 
river, and came to the mountain where the Scots 
had been. And there they found more than five 
hundred great beasts ready slain, because the 
Scots could not drive them before their host, and 
because the Englishmen should have small profit 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 173 

of them. Also there they found three hundred 
cauldrons made of beasts ' skins with the hair 
still on them, strained on stakes over the fire, full 
of water and of flesh to be cooked, and more than 
a thousand spits full of flesh to be roasted, and 
more than ten thousand old shoes made of raw 
leather with the hair still on them which the Scots 
had left behind. Also there they found five poor 
English prisoners, bound fast to certain trees, 
and some with their legs broken. And they were 
loosed. 

By the time the English returned, all the host 
was dislodged. And it was ordained by the king 
by the advice of his council that the whole host 
should draw homeward into England. And so 
they did, and at last came into a fair meadow 
where they found forage sufficient for their 
horses, whereof they had great need for they were 
nigh so feeble that it should have been great pain 
for them to go further. 

And so then the next day the host dislodged 
again and went forth, and about noon they came 
to a great abbey two miles from the city of Dur- 
ham. The king and lords and gentlemen abode 
two days in the city of Durham, and the host 
round about, for they could not all lodge within 
the city. And there their horses were new shod. 

And then they took their way to the city of 
York, and so within three days they came thither. 
And there the king found the queen his mother, 
who received him with great joy, and so did all 
other ladies, damosels, burgesses and commons 
of the city. 



174 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

When the Scots were departed by night from 
the mountain where the king of England had 
besieged them, they went twenty-two miles 
through that savage country without resting, and 
passed the river Tyne right near to Carlisle. 
And the next day they went to their own land, 
and so departed every man to his own mansion. 
And within a space after there was a peace 
purchased between the kings of England and 
Scotland. 



HOW ROBERT BRUCE DIED 

The peace which was purchased between Eng- 
land and Scotland was to endure three years. 
And in the meantime it fortuned that king Robert 
of Scotland was right sore aged and feeble: for 
he was greatly charged with the great sickness, 
which is leprosy, so that there was no way with 
him but death. 

And when he felt that his end drew near, he 
sent for such barons and lords of his realm as he 
trusted best, and showed them how there was no 
remedy, but he must needs leave this transitory 
life. And he commanded them on the faith and 
truth that they owed him, truly to keep the realm 
and aid the young prince David, his son, and 
when he came of age to obey him and crown him 
king. 

Then he called to him the gentle knight, sir 
James Douglas, and said before all the lords, 
"Sir James, my dear friend, ye know well that 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 175 

I have had much ado in my days to uphold and 
sustain the right of this realm. And when I had 
most ado I made a solemn vow, which as yet I 
have not accomplished — whereof I am right sorry 
— which was that if I might achieve and make an 
end of all my wars, so that I might once have 
brought this realm in rest and peace, then I prom- 
ised in my mind to go and war on the adversaries 
of our holy Christian faith. To this purpose 
mine heart hath ever intended. But God would 
not consent thereto ; for now in my last enterprise 
I have taken such a malady that I cannot escape. 

"And since it is so, that my body cannot go 
or achieve that which my heart desireth, I will 
send the heart instead of the body to accomplish 
mine avow. And because I know not in all my 
realm a knight more valiant than ye be, or of 
body so well furnished to accomplish mine avow 
instead of myself, therefore I require you, mine 
own dear especial friend, that ye take on you this 
voyage for the love of me, and to acquit my soul 
before my Lord God. 

"For I trust so much in your nobleness and 
truth that if ye will take it on you, I doubt not 
but that ye shall achieve it. Then shall I die in 
more ease and quiet, so that it be done in such 
manner as I shall declare unto you. 

"I will that as soon as I am passed out of this 
world, ye take my heart out of my body and 
embalm it, and take of my treasure as ye shall 
think sufficient for that enterprise, both for your- 
self and such company as ye will take with you, 
and present my heart to the sepulcher where our 



176 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

Christ lay, seeing my body cannot come there. 

"And take with you such company and pur- 
veyance as shall be appertaining to your estate. 
And wheresoever ye come, let it be known how ye 
carry with you the heart of king Eobert of Scot- 
land at his instance and desire, to present it to 
the holy sepulcher. ,, 

Then all the lords that heard these words 
wept for pity. And when this knight, sir James 
Douglas, might speak for weeping, he said, "Ah, 
gentle and noble king, a hundred times I thank 
your grace for the great honor that ye do to me, 
since of so noble and great treasure ye give me 
in charge. And, sir, I shall do with a glad heart 
all that you have commanded me, to the best of 
my true power, howbeit I am not worthy or suf- 
ficient to achieve such a noble enterprise." 

Then the king said, "Ah, gentle knight, I 
thank you, so that ye will promise to do it. ' ' 

"Sir," said the knight, "I shall do it un- 
doubtedly by the faith I own to God and to the 
order of knighthood.' ' 

"Then I thank you," said the king, "for now 
shall I die in more ease of my mind, since I know 
that the most worthy and sufficient knight of my 
realm shall achieve for me that which I could 
never attain unto." 

And thus soon after this noble Eobert Bruce, 
king of Scotland, passed out of this uncertain 
world, and his heart was taken out of his body 
and embalmed. And honorably his body was 
interred in the abbey of Dunfermline in the year 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 177 

of our Lord 1329, the seventh day of the month 
of June. 

And when the spring-time began, then sir 
James Douglas prepared for his enterprise, and 
took his ship at the port of Montrose in Scotland, 
and sailed into Flanders, to Sluys, to hear tidings 
and to know if there were any nobleman in that 
country that would go to Jerusalem. His intent 
was to have more company. 

And he lay still at Sluys the space of twelve 
days ere he departed; but he would never come 
to land, but kept to his ship, and kept always 
his port and behavior with great triumph, with 
trumpets and clarions, as though he had been king 
of Scots himself. And in his company there was 
a knight banneret and seven other knights of the 
realm of Scotland, and twenty-six young squires 
and gentlemen to serve him. And all his vessel — 
pots, basins, ewers, plates, flagons, barrels, cups 
and other things, was of gold and silver. And all 
such as would come and see him, they were well 
served with two manner of wines and divers man- 
mer of spices. 

And when he had thus tarried the space of 
twelve days he heard report that Alphonso, king 
of Spain, made war against a Saracen king of 
Granada. Then he thought to draw to that part, 
thinking surely he could not bestow his time more 
nobly than to war against Christ's enemies. 
That enterprise done, he thought to go forth to 
Jerusalem and to achieve that he was charged 
with. 

And so he departed and took the sea toward 

19 



178 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

Spain, and arrived at the port of Valencia. Then 
he went straight to the king of Spain who held 
his port against the Saracen king of Granada. 
And the armies were near together. 

And a while after this knight, sir James 
Douglas, was come to the king of Spain, on a day 
the king issued out into the field to approach near 
to his enemies. And the king of Granada issued 
out in like wise. So each king might see the other 
with all banners displayed. And they arranged 
their armies each against the other. 

Then sir James Douglas drew out on the one 
side with all his company to the intent to show his 
prowess the better. And when he saw there two 
armies thus ranged, and saw that the army of the 
king of Spain began somewhat to advance toward 
their enemies, he thought that then verily they 
should assemble together to fight at hand strokes. 
And he thought rather to be with the foremost 
than with the hindermost, and struck his horse 
with spurs, and all his company did likewise, and 
dashed into the army of the king of Granada, 
crying, " Douglas! Douglas!" and thinking that 
the king of Spain and his host had followed. But 
they did not. He was deceived, for the Spanish 
host stood still. 

And so this gentle knight was inclosed and 
all his company also. He did marvels in arms 
against the Saracens, but finally he could not 
endure, and he and all his company were slain. 
That the Spaniards would not rescue them was 
great damage.* 

* In certain chronicles of Scotland there is another account of this 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 179 

The heart of king Robert which this faithful 
Douglas bore, was after a passage of many years 
recovered by a leal and gentle knight of the com- 
pany, sir William Keith, and found its final rest- 
ing-place at Melrose in Scotland. 

engagement. Douglas with his companions eagerly pursued the Saracens. 
Taking the casket which contained the heart of Bruce from his neck, he 
threw it before him and cried, "Now pass thou onward as thou wast 
wont, and Douglas will follow thee or die." The Saracens rallied. 
Douglas fell while attempting to rescue another knight. 



Philippa, a Lady and Queen of 
England 

This beautiful and all too short story is of Philippa of 
Hainault, the wife of Edward III of England and mother of that 
pattern of knighthood, the Black Prince. It is one of the quaint- 
est and loveliest tales of a ruler in any language. 

Philippa was a patron of the teller of the story, and calling 
him to England for a second visit to her court, kept him as sec- 
retary for several years. He must have come into almost daily 
acquaintance with the queen. The account itself bears witness 
of its truth. 

QUEEN PHILIPPA OF ENGLAND 

THIS is to tell of the most gentle queen, most 
liberal and most courteous of all the queens 
of her day, the fair lady Philippa of Hain- 
ault, queen of England and Ireland. 

It was not long after the coronation of Ed- 
ward III that the queen his mother, the earl of 
Kent his uncle, sir Roger Mortimer and all the 
barons of England, and also the king's council, 
took advice concerning the marriage of the young 
king. And they sent a bishop, and two knights, 
and two notable clerks to their friend, sir John 
of Hainault, praying him to be a mean that their 
lord, the young king of England, might marry 
Philippa, daughter of sir John's brother, the earl 
of Hainault : for the king and all the nobles of the 
realm had rather have her than any other lady. 

Sir John of Hainault, for his love of the Eng- 

180 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 181 

lish, feasted and honored greatly these ambas- 
sadors, and brought them to Valenciennes to the 
earl his brother, who honorably received them 
and made them much cheer that it were over long 
here to rehearse. And when they had showed the 
content of their message, the earl said: "Sirs, I 
thank greatly the king your prince, and the queen 
his mother, and all other lords of England, since 
they have sent such sufficient personages as ye 
be to do me such honor as to treat for this mar- 
riage"; with which answer these ambassadors 
were right well content. And the marriage was 
concluded and affirmed on both parties. 

Then was there devised and purveyed for 
apparel and all things honorable that belong to 
a lady, who should be queen of England; and 
there this princess was betrothed. 

And after all feasts and triumphs were done, 
then this young queen entered upon the sea at 
Wissant, and arrived with all her company at 
Dover. And sir John of Hainault, her uncle, did 
conduct her to the city of London, where there 
was made great feast, and many nobles of Eng- 
land, and the queen was crowned. And there 
were also great jousts, tourneys, dancing, carol- 
ing and great feasts every day, the which endured 
the space of three weeks. This marriage and 
coronation of the queen was in the year 1328. 

So Philippa became queen; and thereafter 
many years passed in divers duties and pleasures 
until the year 1346, when king Edward was 
absent, laying siege to the town of Calais. 

Then David, king of Scotland, seeing the realm 



182 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

was void of men of war, determined to make war 
into England, and be revenged for such hurts as 
the Scots had taken before. He straightway made 
his summons, and to him came earls, barons and 
prelates of Scotland, and when all the Scots were 
assembled at Dunfermline, they were fifty thou- 
sand fighting men. They passed a little arm of 
the sea and came to Edinburgh, and then went 
forth, burning and destroying the county of 
Northumberland. 

But they could not make their assembly so 
secret but queen Philippa of England, who was 
then in the borders of the north about York, 
knew all their dealing. And forthwith she sent 
summons all about her for men to meet herself at 
York. Then all men of war and archers came 
with the queen to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and 
others came daily from all parts. 

When the Scots knew the Englishmen assem- 
bled at Newcastle, they drew thitherward and 
burnt certain hamlets thereabout, so that the 
smoke thereof came into the town of Newcastle. 
Some of the Englishmen would have issued out 
to fight with them that made the fires, but the 
captains would not suffer them. 

The next day the king of the Scots with forty 
thousand men came and lodged within three Eng- 
lish miles of Newcastle on the land of the lord 
Nevill at NeviU's Cross. And this king sent to 
them within the town that if they would issue out 
into the field, he would fight with them gladly. 
Then they all issued out of the town, and were in 
number twelve hundred men at arms, three thou- 




Queen Philippa went from battalion to battalion, desiring 
the men to do their duty to defend the honor of the king of 
England, and in the name of God every man to be of good heart 
and courage. And she promised them that to her power she 
would remember them as well or better than if her husband, 
the king, were there personally. 

The original of this picture is in a manuscript of the 
fifteenth century. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 183 

sand archers, and seven thousand of others with 
the Welshmen. 

The Scots came and lodged over against them 
near together. Then every man was set in order 
of battle. 

Then the queen came among her men, and the 
army was set in order in four parts. The queen 
went from battalion to battalion, desiring the men 
to do their duty to defend the honor of the king 
of England, and in the name of God every man to 
be of good heart and courage. And she promised 
them that to her power she would remember them 
as well or better than if her husband, the king, 
were there personally. Then the queen departed, 
recommending them to God and to saint George. 

Anon after, the divisions of the Scots' army 
began to set forward, and in like wise so did the 
Englishmen. Then the archers of both armies 
began to shoot. The shot of the Scots endured 
but a short space, but the archers of England shot 
so fiercely that when the armies approached there 
was a hard battle. They began at nine and en- 
dured till noon. The Scots had great axes, sharp 
and hard, and gave with them many great strokes. 
Howbeit finally the Englishmen obtained the 
place and victory; but they lost many of their 
men. 

The king of the Scots, who fought valiantly 
and was sore hurt, was taken. A squire of 
Northumberland, called John Copeland, took him. 
And as soon as he had taken the king, he went 
with him out of the field with eight of his servants 
with him. They rode all that day, till they were 



184 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

fifteen leagues from the place of the battle, and at 
night they came to a castle called Ogle, in North- 
umberland. And then John Copeland said he 
would not deliver the king of Scots to any man or 
woman living, but only to his sovereign, the king 
of England. 

When Philippa, the queen, heard at Newcastle 
how the day had been for her and her men, she 
rode to the place of the battle. Then it was 
showed her how the king of Scots was taken by a 
squire called John Copeland, and how he had car- 
ried the king no man knew whither. Then the 
queen wrote to the squire commanding him to 
bring his prisoner, the king of Scots, and how he 
had not done well to depart with him without 
leave. All that day the Englishmen tarried still 
in the same place, and the queen with them. The 
next day they returned to Newcastle. 

When the queen's letter was brought to John 
Copeland, he answered and said that as for the 
king of Scots, his prisoner, he would not deliver 
him to any man or woman living, but only to his 
sovereign, the king of England. As to the keep- 
ing of the king of the Scots, he said he should be 
safely kept, so that he would give account for 
him. 

Then the queen sent letters to the king at 
Calais, whereby the king was informed of the 
state of his realm. The king sent at once to 
John Copeland that he should come over the sea 
to him in his siege before Calais. 

Then the same John did put his prisoner in 
safe keeping in a stony castle, and so rode 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 185 

through England till he came to Dover, and there 
took the sea and arrived before Calais. When 
the king of England saw the squire, he took him 
by the hand and said, "Ah! welcome, my squire, 
that by your valiantness hath taken mine adver- 
sary the king of Scots." 

The squire kneeled down and said, "Sir, if 
God by his grace have suffered me to take the 
king of Scots by true conquest of arms, sir, I 
think no man ought to have any envy thereat. 
For God by his grace may send such a fortune to 
fall to a poor squire as well as to a great lord. 
And, sir, I require your grace be not miscontent 
with me, though I did not deliver the king of 
Scots at the commandment of the queen. Sir, I 
hold of you, as mine oath is to you, and not to 
her but in all good manner. ' ' 

The king said, "John, the good service that 
ye have done and your valiantness is so much 
worth, that it must atone for your trespass and 
be taken for your excuse, and shame have they 
that bear you any evil will therefor. Ye shall 
return again home to your house, and then my 
pleasure is that ye deliver your prisoner to the 
queen, my wife. And in reward I assign you near 
to your house five hundred pounds sterling of 
yearly rent, to you and your heirs forever. And 
here I make you squire of my body. ,, 

The third day John Copeland departed and 
returned again into England. And when he came 
home to his own house, he assembled together his 
friends and kin, and so they took the king of 
Scots and rode with him to the city of York. And 



186 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

there from the king, his sovereign, he presented 
the king of Scots to the queen, and excused him- 
self so well that the queen and her council were 
content. 

Then the queen made good provision for the 
city of York, the town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 
and all other garrisons on the marches of Scot- 
land, and left in those marches the lord Percy and 
the lord Nevill as governors there. Then the 
queen departed from York toward London. 

Then she set the king of Scots in the strong 
tower of London, and the earl Moray and all other 
prisoners, and set good keepers over them, and 
she went to Dover and there took the sea, and had 
so good wind that in short space she arrived 
before Calais. 

The king for her coming made a great feast to 
all the lords and ladies that were there. The 
queen brought many ladies and damosels with her, 
as well to accompany her as to see their husbands, 
fathers, brethren and other friends, that lay in 
the siege there before Calais.* 

At last the good Philippa, that so many deeds 
had done in her time, and so many knights suc- 
cored, and so many ladies and damosels com- 
forted, and had so largely given of her goods to 
her people, fell sick in the castle of Windsor ; and 
her sickness continued on her so long that there 
was no remedy but death. Right piteous was it 
for the king, their children, and all the realm of 
England. 

And the good lady, when she knew and per- 

* See page 220. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 187 

ceived that there was with her no remedy but 
death, she desired to speak with the king, her 
husband. 

And when Edward, right sorrowful at his 
heart, was before her she put out of her bed her 
right hand, and took the king by his right hand, 
and she said: "Sir, we have in peace, joy and 
great prosperity used all our time together; so 
now, I pray you at our parting that ye will grant 
me three desires." 

The king, right sorrowfully weeping, said: 
"Madam, desire what ye will, I grant it." 

"Sir," said she, "I require you, first of all, 
that all manner of people such as I have dealt 
withal in their merchandise, on this side the sea 
or beyond, that it may please you to pay every- 
thing that I owe to them, or to any other. And 
secondly, sir, all such promises as I have made 
churches; that it may please you to fulfil the 
same. Thirdly, sir, I require you that it may 
please you to take no other sepulture, whenso- 
ever it shall please God to call you out of this 
transitory life, but beside me in Westminster." 

The king, all weeping, said : l ' Madam, I grant 
all your desires." 

Then the good lady and queen commended the 
king, her husband, and her youngest son, Thomas, 
who was beside her, to God. And anon after she 
yielded up the spirit, the which I believe surely 
the holy angels received with great joy up in 
heaven, for in all her life she did neither in 
thought nor deed anything whereby to lose her 
soul, as far as any creature could know. Thus 
died the good queen Philippa, in the year of our 
Lord 1369, in the midst of August. 



The Heroism of the Countess 
of Montford 

A grievous "one hundred years" war was waged between 
England and France for possession of the crown of France, and 
all because Edward III of England claimed the bauble, and the 
powers that went with it, on the ground that his mother was 
daughter of the French king Philip IV. It was a vast war, 
between two great peoples having a common strain of blood, and 
it was fought with deeds of personal bravery. 

One of the liveliest happenings of the English campaign in 
Brittany, in the year 1342, was the siege of Hennebont. Defense 
of the town was led by the stout-hearted countess of Montford. 
Her doughtiness in appealing to the English king for aid, and 
in keeping up the defense till aid should arrive, is related by 
Froissart in the following picturesque story. 

Among the powerful nobles of France was the earl of Mont- 
ford, who claimed that he inherited the duchy of Brittany, and 
who proceeded to England and did homage to Edward III as the 
rightful king of France. Upon the other hand, sir Charles of 
Blois also claimed that he had inherited this same duchy of 
Britanny, and he swore allegiance to the French king. A war 
between the two claimants and their factions followed — until at 
the siege of Nantes the earl of Montford was taken prisoner. 
This happened in the year 1341. Now opens the story. 

THE HEROISM OF THE COUNTESS 
OF MONTFORD 

THEN the lords of France entered into the 
city Nantes with great joy; and all the 
burgesses and other did fealty and homage 
to the lord Charles of Blois, as to their sovereign 
lord ; and there they tarried a three days in great 
feast. Sir Charles of Blois was counseled to 
abide there till the next summer, and so he did, 
and set captains in such garrisons as he had won. 

188 




The countess of Montford, and her husband the earl, 
greeted by the citizens of Nantes. Their entry into Nantes 
happened before the earl became a prisoner, as reported at 
the top of page 189. 

The original of this picture is in a manuscript of the 
fifteenth century. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 189 

Then the other lords went to Paris to the king 
and delivered the earl of Montford as prisoner. 
The king set him in the castle of Louvre where 
he was long, and at last, as I have heard reported, 
there he died. 

Now let us speak of the countess, his wife, 
who had the courage of a man and the heart of 
a lion. She was in the city of Rennes when the 
earl was taken, and howbeit that she had great 
sorrow at her heart, yet she valiantly recomforted 
her friends and soldiers, and showed them a little 
son that she had, called John, and said, l i Ah ! sirs, 
be not too sore dismayed at the loss of the earl, 
my lord. See here my little child, who shall by 
the grace of God be his restorer ; and he shall do 
for you all. I have riches enough; ye shall not 
lack; and I trust I shall procure such a captain 
that ye shall all be recomforted.' ' 

When she had thus comforted her friends and 
soldiers in Rennes, then she went to all her other 
fortresses and good towns, and led ever with her 
John, her young son, and did with them as she 
did at Rennes, and fortified all her garrisons with 
everything they wanted, and paid largely and 
gave freely where she thought it was well em- 
ployed. Then she went to Hennebont, and there 
she and her son tarried all that winter. 

[Sir Charles of Blois, after abiding at Nantes 
for the winter, laid siege to Rennes. The coun- 
tess of Montford sent to the English king, Ed 
ward III, for help. In answer to her petition 
three thousand archers and a body of men of 
arms under sir Walter of Manny set sail, who 



190 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

were sixty days on their passage owing to con- 
trary winds. Meanwhile the city of Rennes 
yielded to sir Charles in May, 1342.] 

When the city of Rennes was given up, the 
burgesses made their homage and fealty to the 
lord Charles of Blois. Then he was counseled to 
go and lay siege to Hennebont, where the countess 
was, saying that the earl being in prison, if they 
might get the countess and her son, it should make 
an end of all their war. They went to Hennebont 
and laid siege thereto, and to the castle also, as 
far as they might by land. 

With the countess in Hennebont there was the 
bishop of Leon, also there was sir Ives of Tre- 
siguidy, sir Henry and sir Oliver of Spinef ort. and 
divers others. When the countess and her com- 
pany understood that the Frenchmen were com- 
ing to lay seige to the town of Hennebont, then it 
was commanded to sound the watch-bell alarm, 
and every man to be armed and to draw to their 
defense. 

When sir Charles and the Frenchmen came 
near to the town, they commanded to lodge there 
that night. Some of the young lusty companions 
came skirmishing to the barriers, and some of 
them within issued out to them, so that there was 
a great affray, and the Genoese and Frenchmen 
lost more than they won. When night came on 
every man withdrew to his lodging. 

The next day the lords took counsel to assail 
the barriers, to see the manner of them within; 
and so the third day they made a great assault 
to the barriers from morning till it was noon. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 191 

Then the assailants drew aback sore beaten and 
divers slain. 

When the lords of France saw their men draw 
aback, they were sore displeased, and caused the 
assault to begin again fiercer than it was before. 
They within defended themselves valiantly. The 
countess herself wore armor on her body and 
rode on a great courser from street to street, 
desiring her people to make good defense. She 
caused ladies and other women to take up the 
pavement of the streets and carry stones and pots 
full of quicklime to the walls to be cast down to 
their enemies. 

This lady did there a hardy enterprise. She 
mounted up to the height of a tower to see how 
the Frenchmen were ordered without. She saw 
how all the lords and other people of the host 
were all gone out of their field to the assault. 
Then she again took her courser, armed as she 
was, and caused three hundred men a-horseback 
to be ready, and she went with them to another 
gate where there was no assault. 

She and her company issued out and dashed 
into the French lodgings, and cut down tents and 
set fire in their lodgings. She found no defense 
there, but certain varlets and boys who ran away. 
When the lords of France looked behind them 
and saw their lodgings afire, and heard the cry 
and noise, they returned to the field, crying, 
"Treason! treason!" so that all the assault was 
left. 

When the countess saw that, she drew together 
her company, and when she saw she could not 



192 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

enter again into the town without great damage, 
she took another way and went to the castle of 
Brest, which is not far thence. 

When sir Louis of Spain, who was marshal of 
the host, was come to the field, and saw their 
lodgings burning, and saw the countess and her 
company going away, he followed after her with 
a great number. He chased her so near that he 
slew and hurt divers of them that were behind 
ill-horsed. But the countess and most part of 
her company rode so well that they came to Brest, 
and there they were received with great joy. 

The next day the lords of France, who had 
lost their tents and their provisions, took counsel 
to lodge in bowers of trees more near to the town. 
And they had great marvel when they knew that 
the countess herself had done that enterprise. 
They of the town wist not where the countess 
was, whereof they were in great trouble, for it 
was five days ere they heard any tidings. 

The countess did so much at Brest that she 
got together five hundred spear. And then about 
midnight she departed from Brest, and by the 
sunrising she came along by the one side of the 
host and to one of the gates of Hennebont which 
was opened for her. Therein she entered, and 
all her company, with great noise of trumpets 
and kettledrums. 

Thereof the French host had great marvel, and 
armed them, and ran to the town to assault it. 
They within were ready to defend. There began 
a fierce assault and endured till noon. But the 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 193 

Frenchmen lost more than they within. At noon 
the assault ceased. 

Sir Charles of Blois now departed from the 
siege and sir Louis of Spain abode before Henne- 
bont, and thus they divided the army. Sir Louis 
of Spain had so broken and bruised the walls of 
the town with his engines that they within began 
to be dismayed. 

And on a day the bishop of Leon, abiding 
within the town, spake with sir Herve of Leon, 
his nephew, who was of the army of sir Louis of 
Spain, and they agreed that the bishop should do 
what he could to cause the company within to 
agree to yield up the town and the castle to the 
other side, and to lose nothing of their goods. 
Thus the bishop entered again into the town. 

The countess feared some evil purchase. 
Then she desired the lords and knights that were 
there, that for the love of God they should be in 
no doubt ; for she said she was in surety that they 
should have succor within three days. 

Howbeit the bishop spoke so much and showed 
so many reasons to the lords, that they were in 
great trouble all that night. The next morning 
they drew to council again, so that they were 
near of accord to give up the town, and sir Herve, 
the bishop's nephew, was come near to the town 
to take possession thereof. 

Then the countess looked down along the sea, 
out at a window in the castle, and began to smile 
for great joy that she had to see the succors 
coming, the which she had so long desired. Then 

13 



194 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

she cried out aloud and said twice, "I see the 
succors of England coming." 

Then they of the town ran to the walls and 
saw a great number of ships, great and small, 
freshly decked, coming toward Hennebont. It 
was the succors of England who had been on the 
sea sixty days by reason of contrary winds. 

When the seneschal of Guingamp, sir Ives of 
Tresiguidy, and the other knights saw these suc- 
cors coming, then they said to the bishop, "Sir, 
ye may well leave your treaty,' ' for they were 
not then content to follow his counsel. 

Then the bishop said, "Sirs, then our com- 
pany shall depart, for I will go to him that hath 
most right, as me seemeth." Then he departed 
from Hennebont and defied the countess and all 
her aiders, and so went to his nephew, sir Herve 
of Leon, and showed him how the matters went. 
Then sir Herve was sore displeased, and caused 
incontinent to rear the greatest engines that they 
had near the castle and commanded that they 
should not cease to cast day and night. 

Then the countess dressed up halls and cham- 
bers to lodge the lords of England that were 
coming, and did send against them right nobly. 
And when they were aland, she came to them with 
great reverence and feasted them the best she 
might, and thanked them right humbly, and caused 
all the knights and other to lodge at their ease in 
the castle and in the town, and the next day she 
made them a great feast at dinner. 

All night and the next day also the engines 
never ceased to cast. And after dinner sir Wal- 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 195 

ter of Manny, who was chief of that company, 
demanded of the state of the town and of the 
host without, and said, "I have a great desire to 
issue out and to break down this great engine 
that standeth so near us, if any will follow me." 
Then sir Ives of Tresiguidy said how he would 
not fail him at this his first beginning, and so 
said the lord of Landernau. 

Then they armed them, and so they issued out 
privily at a certain gate, and with them three 
hundred archers, who shot so wholly together 
that they that kept the engine fled away. And 
the men of arms came after the archers and slew 
divers of them that fled, and beat down the great 
engine and broke it all to pieces. Then they ran 
in among the tents and lodgings and set fire in 
divers places and slew and hurt divers, till the 
host began to stir. Then they withdrew fair and 
easily, and they of the host ran after them like 
madmen. 

Then sir Walter said, "Let me never be be- 
loved with my lady, without I have a course with 
one of these followers,' ' and therewith turned his 
spear in the rest. And in like wise so did the two 
brethren of Levedale, sir Ives, sir Galeran of 
Landernau, and divers other companions. They 
ran at the first comers: there might well have 
been legs seen turned upward. There began a 
sore meddling, for they of the host always 
increased, wherefore it behoved the Englishmen 
to withdraw toward their fortress. 

There might well have been seen on both 
parties many noble deeds, taking and receiving. 



198 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

The Englishmen drew sagely to the dikes and 
there made a stall, till all their men were in safe- 
guard ; and all the residue of the town issued out 
to rescue their company, and caused them of the 
host to recoil. 

So when they of the host saw how they could 
do no good, they drew to their lodgings, and they 
of the fortress in like wise to their lodgings. 
Then the countess descended down from the castle 
with a glad cheer and came and kissed sir Walter 
of Manny and his companions one after another, 
like a valiant lady. And because of the puissance 
of the countess, the French retired from the siege 
of Hennebont. 



The Battle of Crecy 

Froissart's description of the battle of Crecy is almost as 
famous as the great contest itself, and his account will last as 
long as any report of that measure of strength and order between 
French and English shall survive. "That I write in this book," 
said the chronicler in introducing his account of the engagement, 
"I learned specially of the Englishmen, who well beheld their 
dealing. And also certain knights who were always about king 
Philip [of France] showed me as they knew." 

The forces of Edward III numbered about 30,000 men. The 
French, commanded by the count of Alencon, were said to be 
100,000 strong. Philip of Valois was now king of France. 

THE BATTLE OF CRECY 

ON a Friday the English army all lodged 
together near Crecy in Ponthieu. 
Edward III, king of England, was well 
informed how the French king followed after him 
to fight. Then he said to his company, "Let us 
take here some plot of ground, for we will go no 
farther till we have seen our enemies. I have 
good cause here to abide them, for I am on the 
right heritage of the queen my mother, the which 
land was given at her marriage. I will challenge 
it of mine adversary, Philip of Valois. ' ' 

And because he had not the eighth part in 
number of men that the French king had, there- 
fore he commanded his marshals to choose a plot 
of ground somewhat for his advantage. This 
they did, and thither the king and his host went. 
Then he sent scouts to Abbeville to see if the 

197 



198 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

French king drew that day into the field, or not. 
They went forth and returned again and said how 
they could see no appearance of his coming. 
Then every man took his lodging for that day, 
and to be ready in the morning at the sound of 
the trumpet in the same place. 

This Friday the French king tarried still in 
Abbeville, abiding for his company, and sent his 
two marshals to ride out to see the dealing of 
the Englishmen; and at night they returned and 
said how the Englishmen were lodged in the 
fields. That night the French king made a sup- 
per to all the chief lords that were there with 
him, and after supper the king desired them to 
be friends each to other. 

On this Friday, as I said before, the king of 
England lay in the fields, for the country was 
plentiful of victuals; and if need had been, they 
had provision following in carts and other car- 
riage. That night the king made a supper to all 
the chief lords of his host, and made them good 
cheer. And when they were all departed to take 
their rest, then the king entered his oratory and 
kneeled down before the altar, praying God de- 
voutly that if he fought the next day he might 
achieve the battle to his honor. Then about mid- 
night he laid him down to rest, and in the morn- 
ing he rose betimes and heard prayers, the prince 
his son with him and most of his company, and 
they were houseled. And he commanded every 
man to be armed and to draw to the field to the 
place before appointed. 

Then the king caused a park to be made by the 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 199 

woodside behind his host, and there were set all 
carts and carriages, and within the park were all 
their horses, for every man was afoot; and into 
this park there was but one entry. 

Then the king set in order three battalions. 
In the first was the young prince of Wales,* and 
with him the earls of Warwick and Oxford, the 
lord Godfrey of Harcourt, sir Eeginald Cobham, 
sir Thomas Holland, the lord Stafford, the lord 
Mohun, the lord Delaware, sir John Chandos, sir 
Bartholomew Burgherst, sir Eobert Neville, the 
lord Thomas Clifford, the lord Bouchier, the lord 
Latimer, and divers other knights and squires 
that I cannot name. They were eight hundred 
men of arms and two thousand archers, and a 
thousand of others with the Welshmen. Every 
lord drew to the field appointed under his own 
banner and pennon. 

In the second battalion was the earl of North- 
ampton, the earl of Arundel, the lord Ros, the 
lord Lucy, the lord Willoughby, the lord Basset, 
the lord Saint Albans, sir Louis Tufton, the lord 
Multon, the lord Lascelles, and divers others, 
about eight hundred men of arms and twelve hun- 
dred archers. The third battalion had the king: 
he had seven hundred men of arms and two thou- 
sand arches. 

Then the king, with a white rod in his hand, 
leaped on a hobbyt and, one of his marshals on 
the one hand and the other on the other hand, he 

* The famous Black Prince. At this battle he gained his spurs and 
adopted the triple feather crest of the fallen king of Bohemia, with the 
motto, "Ich dien," still worn by the prince of Wales. 

t A small palfrey. 



200 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

rode from rank to rank desiring every man to 
take heed that day to his right and honor. He 
spoke it so sweetly, and with so good a coun- 
tenance and merry cheer, that all such as were 
discomfited took courage in the seeing and hear- 
ing of him. 

And when he had thus visited all his battalions 
it was nine of the day. Then he caused every man 
to eat and drink a little, and so they did at their 
leisure. And afterwards they formed their bat- 
talions ; and every man lay down on the earth and 
by him his helmet and bow, to be the fresher when 
their enemies should come. 

This Saturday the French king rose betimes 
and heard prayers in Abbeville in his lodging in 
the abbey of Saint Peter, and he departed after 
the sunrising. When he was out of the town 
two leagues, approaching toward his enemies, 
some of his lords said to him, "Sir, it were good 
that ye set in order your battalions, and let all 
your footmen pass somewhat on before that they 
be not troubled with the horsemen.' ' 

Then the king sent four knights, the lord of 
Moyne of Bastleburg, the lord of Noyers, the lord 
of Beaujeu, and the lord d'Aubigny to ride to 
view the English host; and so they rode so near 
that they might well see part of their dealing. 
The Englishmen saw them well, and knew well 
how they were come thither to view them. They 
let them alone, however, and made no countenance 
toward them, and let them return as they came. 

And when the French king saw these four 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 201 

knights return again, he tarried till they came to 
him, and then said, "Sirs, what tidings f" 

These four knights, each of them looked on 
the other, for there was none would speak before 
his companion. Finally the king said to the lord 
Moyne, who pertained to the king of Bohemia, 
and had done in his day so much that he was 
reputed one of the valiantest knights of the world, 
' ' Sir, speak you. ' ' 

Then lord Moyne said, "Sir, I shall speak, 
since it pleaseth you, under the correction of my 
fellows. Sir, we have ridden and seen the behav- 
ing of your enemies. Know ye for truth they are 
resting in three battalions abiding for you. Sir, 
I will counsel you as for my part, saving your 
displeasure, that you and all your company rest 
here and lodge for this night. For ere they of 
your company that are behind come hither, and 
ere your battalions be set in good order, it will be 
very late, and your people will be weary and out 
of array, and ye shall find your enemies fresh 
and ready to receive you. Early in the morning 
ye may order your battalions at more leisure, and 
observe your enemies at more deliberation, and 
regard well what way ye will assail them ; for, sir, 
surely they will abide you. ' ' 

Then the king commanded that it should be so 
done. And of his two marshals, one rode before, 
another behind, saying to every banner, "Tarry 
and abide here in the name of God and saint 
Denis.' ' 

They that were foremost tarried, but they that 
were behind would not tarry, but rode forth and 



202 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

said how they would in no wise abide till they 
were so far forward as the foremost. And when 
they before saw them come on behind, they rode 
forward again, and neither the king nor his 
marshals could rule them. 

So they rode without order or good array till 
they came in sight of their enemies. And as soon 
as the foremost saw the enemies they drew back 
without good array, whereof those behind had 
marvel and were dismayed and thought that the 
foremost company had been fighting. Then they 
might have had leisure and room to go forward 
if they had list: some went and some abode still. 

The commons, of whom all the ways between 
Abbeville and Crecy were full, when they saw 
that they were near to their enemies, they took 
their swords and cried, ' ' Down with them ! let us 
slay them all." There is no man, though he were 
present at the journey, that could imagine or show 
the truth of the evil order that was among the 
French. And they were a marvelous great 
number. 

The Englishmen, who were in three battalions 
lying on the ground to rest, as soon as they saw 
the Frenchmen approach, they rose upon their feet 
fair and easily without any haste and arranged 
their battalions. In the first, which was the 
prince's battalion, the archers stood in the form 
of a harrow and the men of arms in the rear. The 
earl of Northampton and the earl of Arundel 
with the second battalion were on a wing in good 
order, ready to comfort the prince's battle if 
need be. 



STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 203 

The lords and knights of France came not to 
the assembly together in good order, for some 
came before and some came after in such haste 
and evil order that one of them did trouble 
another. When the French king saw the English- 
men his blood grew hot and he said to his mar- 
shals, "Make the Genoese go on before and begin 
the battle in the name of God and saint Denis." 

There were of the Genoese cross-bows about a 
fifteen thousand, but they were so weary of going 
that day six leagues afoot, armed with their cross- 
bows, that they said to their constables, "We are 
not well ordered to fight this day, for we are not 
in the case to do any great deed of arms. We 
have more need of rest." 

These words came to the earl of Alencon, who 
said, "A man is well at ease to be charged with 
such a sort of rascals, who faint and fail now at 
most need." 

At this moment also a heavy rain fell with ter- 
rible thunder and a flash of lightning, and before 
the rain there came flying over both battalions a 
great number of crows fearful of the tempest 
coming. Then anon the air began to wax clear, 
and the sun to shine fair and bright, the which 
was right in the Frenchmen's eyes and on the 
Englishmen's backs. 

When the Genoese were assembled together 
and began to approach they made a great cry to 
abash the Englishmen. But the English stood 
still and stirred not for all that. Then the 
Genoese again the second time made a fell cry 
and stepped forward a little. But the English- 



204 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

men removed not one foot. Thirdly again they 
cried, and went forth till they came within shot, 
and then they shot fiercely with their cross-bows. 

Then the English archers stepped forth one 
pace and let fly their arrows so wholly together 
and so thick that it seemed to snow. When the 
Genoese felt the arrows piercing through heads, 
arms and breasts, many of them cast down their 
cross-bows and did cut their strings and returned 
discomfited. 

When the French king saw them fly away, he 
said, "Slay these rascals, for they shall hinder 
and trouble us without reason." Then ye should 
have seen the men of arms dash in among them 
and kill a great number of them. 

And ever still the Englishmen shot where they 
saw thickest press. The sharp arrows ran into 
the men of arms and into their horses, and many 
fell, horse and men, among the Genoese, and when 
they were down they could not rise again, the 
press was so thick that one overthrew the other. 

And also among the Englishmen there were 
certain rascals that went afoot with great knives, 
and they went in among the men of arms and 
slew and murdered many as they lay on the 
ground, both earls, barons, knights and squires — 
whereof the king of England was sore displeased 
for he had rather they had been taken prisoners. 

The valiant king of Bohemia, called Charles of 
Luxembourg, son to the noble emperor Henry of 
Luxembourg, for all that he was nigh blind, when 
he understood the order of the battle he said to 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 205 

them about him, " Where is the lord Charles, my 
son?" 

His men said, "Sir, we cannot tell. We think 
he is fight nig." 

Then he said, "Sirs, ye are my men, my com- 
panions and friends in this battle. I require you 
bring me so far forward that I may strike one 
stroke with my sword." 

They said they would do his commandment, 
and to the intent that they should not lose him in 
the press, they tied all the reins of their bridles 
each to other and set the king before to accom- 
plish his desire. And so they went on their 
enemies. 

The lord Charles of Bohemia, his son, came in 
good order to the battle; but when he saw that 
the matter went awry for their party, he departed 
I cannot tell which way. The king, his father, 
was so far forward that he struck a stroke with his 
sword, yea and more than four, and fought va- 
liantly and so did his company. But they adven- 
tured themselves so far forward that they were 
there all slain, and the next day they were found 
in the place about king Charles, and all their 
horses tied each to other. 

The earl of Alencon came to the battle right 
ordinately and fought with the Englishmen. The 
earl of Flanders came also on his part. These 
two lords with their companies passed alongside 
the English archers, and came to the battalion of 
the prince, and there fought valiantly. The 
French king would fain have come thither when 



206 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

he saw their banners, but there was a great hedge 
of archers before him. 

The same day the French king had given a 
great black courser to sir John of Hainault who 
mounted the lord Thierry to ride on him and to 
bear his banner. The same horse took the bridle 
in his teeth and brought his rider through all the 
scouts of the Englishmen. And as he would have 
returned again he fell into a great ditch and the 
lord Thierry was sore hurt, and had been there 
dead if his page, who had followed him through 
all the battalions, had not seen his master lying 
in the ditch and with no other hindrance but his 
horse — for the Englishmen would not issue out 
of their battalion for the taking of any prisoner. 
Then the page alighted and relieved his master; 
who went not back the same way they came, there 
were too many in his way. 

The battle near Crecy this Saturday was right 
cruel and fell, and many a feat of arms was done 
that came not to my knowledge. Towards night- 
fall divers knights and squires lost their masters 
and sometimes came on the Englishmen, who 
received them in such wise that they were ever 
nigh slain. For there were none taken in mercy 
nor to ransom, for so the Englishmen were 
determined. 

During the battle certain Frenchmen and 
Germans perforce opened the archers of the 
prince's battalion and came and fought with the 
men of arms hand to hand. Then the second 
battalion of the Englishmen came to succor the 
prince's battle, the which was time for they had 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 207 

as then much ado. And they, with the prince, 
sent a messenger to the king, who was on a little 
windmill hill, and this messenger knight said 
to the king, "Sir, the earl of Warwick, the earl 
of Oxford, sir Eeginald Cobham and others about 
the prince, your son, are fiercely fought withal 
and are sore handled. Wherefore they desire 
you that you and your battalion will come and 
aid them. For if the Frenchmen increase, as they 
fear they will, your son and they shall have much 
ado." 

Then the king said, * ' Is my son* dead, or hurt, 
or on the earth felled V 9 

"No, sir," quoth the knight, "but he is hardly 
matched; wherefore he hath need of your aid." 

"Well," said the king, "return to him and to 
them that sent you hither, and say to them that 
they send no more to me for any adventure that 
falleth, as long as my son is alive. And also say 
to them that they suffer him this day to win his 
spurs ; for if God be pleased, I will this battle be 
his and the honor thereof, and to them that be 
about him." 

Then the knight returned to them, and showed 
the king's words, the which greatly encouraged 
them, and they felt sorry in that they had sent to 
the king as they did. 

Sir Godfrey of Harcourt would gladly that the 
earl of Harcourt, his brother, might have been 
saved. For he heard say by the English that saw 
his banner, how he was in the field with the 

* Edward, the Black Prince. Notice the chronicler says his division 
bore the brunt in this battle. 



208 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

French party. But sir Godfrey could not come 
to him betimes, for he was slain ere he could 
come to him ; and so also was the earl of Aumale, 
his nephew. 

In another place the earl of Alencon and the 
earl of Flanders fought valiantly, every lord 
under his own banner. But finally they could not 
resist the puissance of the Englishmen, and so 
there they were also slain; and divers other 
knights and squires. 

Also the earl Louis of Blois, nephew to the 
French king, and the duke of Lorraine fought 
under their banners. But at last they were closed 
in among a company of Englishmen and Welsh- 
men, and there were slain, for all their prowess. 
Also there were slain the earl of Auxerre, the 
earl of Saint-Pol and many others. 

In the evening the French king, who had left 
about him no more than a three score persons, 
one and another, whereof sir John of Hainault 
was one — who had once remounted the king for 
his horse was slain with an arrow — sir John said 
to the king, "Sir, depart hence, for it is time. 
Lose not yourself wilfully. If ye have loss at this 
time, ye shall recover it again another season." 
And so he took the king's horse by the bridle and 
led him away in a manner perforce. 

Then the king rode till he came to the castle of 
Broye The gate was closed because it was by 
that time dark. Then the king called the captain, 
who came to the walls and said, "Who is that 
calleth there this time of night?" 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 209 

Then the king said, "Open your gate quickly 
for this is the fortune of France." 

The captain knew then it was the king, and 
opened the gate and let down the bridge. 

Then the king entered, and he had with him 
but five barons, sir John of Hainault, sir Charles 
of Montmorency, the lord of Beaujeu, the lord 
d'Aubigny and the lord of Montford. The king 
would not tarry there, but drank and departed 
thence about midnight, and so rode by such 
guides as knew the country till he came on the 
morning to Amiens; and there he rested. 

This Saturday the Englishmen never departed 
from their battalions for chasing any man, but 
kept their field and ever defended themselves 
against all such as came to assail them. This 
battle ended about evensong time. 

When the night was come and the Englishmen 
heard no more noise of the Frenchmen, then they 
reputed themselves to have the victory, and the 
Frenchmen to be discomfited, slain and fled away. 
Then they made great fires, and lighted up torches 
and candles because it was very dark. 

Then the king descended from the little hill 
where he stood; and of all that day till then his 
helmet never came on his head. Then he went 
with all his battalion to his son, the prince, and 
embraced him in his arms and kissed him, and 
said, ' ' Fair son, God give you good perseverance. 
Ye are my noble son. Thus ye have acquitted you 
nobly. Ye are worthy to keep a realm." The 
prince inclined himself to the earth, honoring the 
king his father. 

14 



210 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

This night they thanked God for their good 
adventure and made no boast thereof. For the 
king would that no man should be proud or make 
boast, but every man humbly to thank God. 

On the Sunday in the morning there was such a 
mist that a man might not see the breadth of an 
acre of land from him. Then there departed from 
the host by the commandment of the king and 
marshals, five hundred spears and two thousand 
archers to see if they might see any Frenchmen 
gathered together in any place. 

The same morning out of Abbeville and Saint 
Kicquiers in Ponthieu the commons of Eouen and 
of Beauvais issued out of their towns, not know- 
ing of the discomfiture the day before. They met 
with the Englishmen, weening they had been 
Frenchmen and when the Englishmen saw them, 
they set on them freshly, and there was a sore 
battle. But at last the Frenchmen fled and kept 
no array. There were slain in the ways and in 
hedges and bushes more than seven thousand; 
and if the day had been clear there had never one 
escaped. 

Anon after, another company of Frenchmen, 
the archbishop of Eouen and the great prior of 
France, were met by the Englishmen. They also 
knew nothing of the discomfiture the day before. 
For they heard that the French king should have 
fought the same Sunday, and they were going 
thitherward. When they met with the English- 
men there was a great battle, for they were a 
great number; but they could not endure against 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 211 

the Englishmen. They were nigh all slain; few- 
escaped. The two lords were slain. 

This Sunday morning the Englishmen met 
with divers Frenchmen that had lost their way on 
the Saturday and had lain all night in the fields 
and wist not where the king was nor the captains. 
They were all slain, as many as were met with, 
and it was showed me that of the commons and 
men afoot of the cities and good towns of France 
there were slain four times as many as were slain 
the Saturday in the great battle. 

The same Sunday, as the king of England came 
from prayers, such men as had been sent forth 
returned and showed the king what they had seen 
and done, and said, "Sir, we think surely there 
is now no more appearance of any of our 
enemies." 

Then the king sent to search how many were 
slain and what they were. Sir Reginald Cobham 
and sir Richard Stafford with three heralds went 
to search the field and country. They visited all 
them that were slain and rode all day in the fields, 
and returned again to the host as the king was 
going to supper. They made just report of that 
they had seen, and said how there was eleven 
great princes dead, fourscore banners, twelve 
hundred knights and more than thirty thousand 
others.* 

The Englishmen kept still their field all that 
night. On the Monday in the morning the king 
prepared to depart. The king caused the dead 
bodies of the great lords to be taken up and con- 

* This estimate is doubtless exaggerated. 



212 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

veyed to Montreuil, and there buried in holy 
ground; and made a cry in the country to grant 
truce for three days, to the intent that they of the 
country might search the field of Crecy to bury 
the dead bodies. 

Then the king went forth and came before 
Montreuil. And the next day he rode toward 
Boulogne and came to the town of Wissant. 
There the king and the prince lodged and tarried 
a day to refresh his men. And on a Wednesday 
the king came before the strong town of Calais. 



The Sacrifice of the Six Honor- 
able Burgesses at the Siege 
of the Town of Calais 

There was greatness of heart and mind in those days of the 
"one hundred years " war, as well as the terrible killing off of 
countless men. In the foregoing tale of the countess of Mont- 
ford we have spoken of this. And now we have another beautiful 
story, the facts of which happened in the midst of the abomina- 
tions of the contest and bear witness to magnanimity of soul 
and self-sacrifice. 

Following the battle of Crecy the English army sat down 
before Calais to a prolonged and memorable siege. By referring 
to the last sentence of the story before this, you will see how 
king Edward III, with his men refreshed, on the Wednesday 
following the Saturday at Cr6cy did invest the strong town of 
Calais. 

THE SIEGE OF CALAIS 

WHEN the king of England had come 
from Crecy before Calais he laid his 
siege and set up fortresses between the 
town and the river. He made carpenters to make 
houses and lodgings of great timber, and set the 
houses like streets and cover them with reed and 
broom, so that it was like a little town. And there 
was everything to sell, and a market-place to be 
kept every Tuesday and Saturday for flesh and 
fish, houses for cloth, for bread and all other 
things necessary; and there the people might buy 
what they list. The Englishmen ran oftentimes 
into the country and brought in to their host great 
prey. 213 



214 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

The king would not assail the town of Calais, 
for he thought it but a lost labor. He spared his 
people and his artillery, and said how he would 
famish them in the town with long siege, unless 
the French king came and raised his siege 
perforce. 

When the captain of Calais saw the manner and 
the order of the Englishmen there he constrained 
all poor and humble people to issue out of the 
town, and on a Wednesday there issued out of 
men, women and children more than seventeen 
hundred. And as they passed through the 
English host they were demanded why they 
departed, and they answered and said because 
they had nothing to live on. Then the king did 
them that grace that he suffered them to pass 
through his host without danger, and gave them 
meat and drink to dinner, and every person two 
pence sterling in alms, for the which divers of 
them prayed for the king's prosperity. 

The siege before Calais endured long and 
many things fell in the mean season, the which I 
cannot write the fourth part. The French king 
had set men of war in every fortress in the 
country about Calais so that when any of the 
Englishmen would go a-foraging, either afoot or 
horseback, they found many hard adventures, and 
often there was skirmishing about the gates 
and dikes of the town, and oftentimes some slain 
and hurt on both parties. Some day the one part 
lost, and some day the other. 

The king of England caused engines to be 
made to oppress them within the town, but they 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 215 

within made others again to resist them so that 
they took little hurt by them. But nothing could 
come into the town but by stealth, and that was 
by the means of two mariners, one called Marant 
and the other Mestriel, and they dwelt in 
Abbeville. By these two they of Calais were 
oftentimes recomforted and freshed by stealth. 
Oftentimes the two mariners were in great peril, 
chased and near taken, but always they escaped 
and made many Englishmen to be drowned. 

Now the French king assembled a great host to 
raise the king of England from the siege before 
Calais. But the English king, when he saw the 
French king come with so great an army, knew 
well how he had so constrained the town that it 
could not long endure for default of victuals. It 
grieved him sore then to depart, and he advised 
well how the Frenchmen could not approach either 
to his army or to the town, but in two places — 
either by the downs by the seaside or by the high- 
way over a bridge. When the French king saw 
that he could do nothing he dislodged betimes 
and gave every man leave to depart. 

After the French king was thus departed they 
within Calais saw well how their succor had 
failed them, for which they were in great sorrow. 
Then they desired so much their captain, sir John 
of Vienne, that he went to the walls of the town 
and made a sign to speak with some person of the 
English host. When the king heard thereof, he 
sent thither sir Walter of Manny and sir Basset. 
Then sir John of Vienne said to them, "Sirs, ye 
be right valiant knights in deeds of arms, and ye 



216 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

know well how the French king, my master, hath 
sent me and others to this town and commanded 
ns to keep it to his advantage in such wise that 
we take no blame nor do him damage; and we 
have done all that lieth in our power. Now our 
succor hath failed us, and we be so sore strained 
that we have not to live withal, but we must all 
die for famine without the noble and gentle king 
of yours will take mercy on us, which to do we 
require you to desire him to have pity on us and 
to let us go and depart as we be, and let him take 
the town and castle and all the goods that be 
therein, the which is great abundance.' ' 

Then sir Walter of Manny said, "Sir, we 
know somewhat of the intention of the king, our 
master, for he hath showed it unto us. Surely 
we know for truth it is not his mind that ye or 
they within the town should depart so, for it is 
his will that ye all should put yourselves into his 
pure will, to ransom all such as pleaseth him, and 
to put to death such as he list. For they of 
Calais have done him such contraries and despites, 
and have caused him to spend so much and lose 
so many men that he is sore grieved against 

them." 

Then the captain said, "Sir, this is too hard a 
matter to us. We are here within, a small com- 
pany of knights and squires, who have truly 
served the king our master as well as ye serve 
yours in like case. And we have endured much 
pain and unease ; but we shall yet endure as much 
pain as ever knights did rather than consent that 
the humblest lad in town should have any more 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 217 

evil than the greatest of us all. Therefore, sir, 
we pray you that of your humility, yet that you 
will go and speak to the king of England and 
desire him to have pity on us ; for we trust in him 
so much gentleness that by the grace of God his 
purpose shall change." 

Sir Walter of Manny and sir Basset returned 
to the king and declared to him all that had been 
said. The king said he would none otherwise but 
that they should yield them up simply to his 
pleasure. Then sir Walter said, "Sir, saving 
your displeasure, in this ye may be in the 
wrong, for ye shall give by this an evil ensample. 
If ye send any of us your servants into any fort- 
ress, we will not be very glad to go, if ye put any 
of them in the town to death after they be yielded. 
For in like wise they will deal with us, if the case 
fall like." These words divers other lords that 
were present sustained and maintained. 

Then the king said, "Sirs, I will not be alone 
against you all. Therefore, sir Walter of Manny, 
you shall go and say to the captain that all the 
grace that he shall find now in me is that they 
let six of the chief burgesses of the town come 
out bare-headed, bare-footed and bare-legged, and 
in their shirts, with halters about their necks, 
with the keys of the town and castle in their 
hands, and let the six yield themselves purely to 
my will, and the residue I will take to mercy." 

Then sir Walter returned and found sir John 
of Vienne still on the wall, abiding for an answer. 
Then sir Walter showed him all the grace that he 
could get of the king. "Well," quoth sir John, 



218 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

1 ' sir, I require you tarry here a certain space till 
I go into the town and show this to the commons 
of the town, who sent me hither.' ' 

Then sir John went into the market-place and 
sounded the common bell and at once men and 
women assembled there. Then the captain made 
report of all that he had done, and said, "Sirs, it 
will be none otherwise. Therefore now take ad- 
vice and make a short answer." 

Then all the people began to weep and to make 
such sorrow that there was not so hard a heart, 
if any had seen them, but would have had great 
pity of them. The captain himself wept piteously. 

At last the most rich burgess of all the town, 
called Eustace of Saint-Pierre, rose up and said 
openly, "Sirs, great and small, great mischief it 
should be to suffer to die such people as be in 
this town, either by famine or otherwise, when 
there is a mean to save them. I think he or they 
should have great merit of our Lord God that 
might keep them from such mischief. As for my 
part, I have so good trust in our Lord God, that 
if I die in the quarrel to save the residue, God 
would pardon me. Wherefore to save them I will 
be the first to put my life in jeopardy." When 
he had thus said, every man honored him and 
divers kneeled down at his feet with sore weeping 
and sore sighs. 

Then another honest burgess rose and said, 
"I will keep company with my gossip Eustace." 
He was called John d'Aire. Then rose up 
Jacques of Wissant, who was rich in goods and 
heritage; he said also that he would hold com- 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 219 

pany with his two cousins. In like wise so did 
Peter of Wissant, his brother. And then rose 
two others; they said they would do the same. 
Then they went and appareled themselves as the 
king desired. 

Their captain, sir John of Vienne, went with 
them to the gate. There was great lamentation 
of men, women and children at their departing. 
Then the gate was opened and the captain issued 
out with the six burgesses and closed the gate 
again, so that they were between the gate and the 
barriers. Then he said to sir Walter of Manny, 
"Sir, as captain of Calais I deliver here to you, 
by the whole consent of all the people of the town, 
these six burgesses, and I swear to you truly that 
they are and were to-day most honorable, rich 
and noble burgesses of all the town of Calais. 
Gentle knight, I require you pray the king to have 
mercy on them, that they die not." 

Quoth sir Walter, "I cannot say what the 
king will do, but I shall do for them the best I 
can." Then the barriers were opened, the six 
burgesses went towards the English king, and the 
captain entered again into the town. 

When sir Walter presented these burgesses to 
the king, they kneeled down and held up their 
hands and said, " Gentle king, behold here we six 
who were burgesses of Calais and great mer- 
chants. We have brought to you the keys of the 
town and of the castle, and we submit ourselves 
clearly unto your will and pleasure, to save the 
residue of the people of Calais who have suffered 
great pain. Sir, we beseech your grace to have 



220 STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 

mercy and pity on us through your high noble- 
ness.' ' All the earls and barons and other that 
were there wept for pity. 

The king looked angrily on them, for greatly 
he hated the people of Calais for the great 
damages and displeasures they had done him on 
the sea. Then he commanded their heads to be 
stricken off. Then every man required the king 
for mercy, but he would hear no man in that 
behalf. 

Then sir Walter of Manny said, "Ah, noble 
king, for God's sake refrain your inclination. 
You have the name of sovereign nobleness. 
Therefore now do not a thing that would blemish 
your renown, or give cause to some one to speak 
of your villainy. Every man will say it is a great 
cruelty to put to death such honest persons, who 
by their own wills put themselves into your grace 
to save their company." 

Then the king turned away from him and com- 
manded to send for the hangman, and said, ' ' They 
of Calais have caused many of my men to be 
slain, wherefore these shall die in like wise." 

Then the noble queen Philippa* kneeled down 
and sore weeping said, "Ah, gentle sir, since I 
passed the sea in great peril I have desired noth- 
ing of you. Now I humbly require you to the 
honor of the Son of Mary, and for the love of me, 
that you will take mercy for these six burgesses." 

The king beheld the queen, and stood still in 
study a space, and then said, "Ah, dame, I would 
ye had been now in some other place. Ye make 

* See page 186. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 221 

such request to me that I cannot deny you. 
Wherefore I give them to you to do your pleasure 
with them. ' ' 

Then the queen caused the six burgesses to be 
brought into her chamber, and made the halters 
to be taken from their necks, and caused them to 
be new clothed, and gave them their dinner at 
their leisure; and then to be brought out of the 
host in safeguard and set at their liberty. Thus 
the strong town of Calais was given up to king 
Edward of England in the year 1347, in the month 
of August. 

The king of England called to him sir Walter 
of Manny and his two marshals, the earl of War- 
wick and the earl of Stafford, and said to them, 
"Sirs, take here the keys of the town and castle 
of Calais. Go and take possession there and put 
in prison all the knights that be there. And all 
other soldiers that came thither simply to win 
their living, cause them to avoid the town, also 
all other men, women and children, for I would 
repeople the town with pure Englishmen." 

So these lords, with a hundred with them, 
went and took possession of Calais, and did put 
in prison sir John of Vienne, sir John of Surie, 
sir Baldwin of Bellebrune, and others. Then 
they made all the soldiers to bring all their har- 
ness and lay it on a heap in the hall of Calais. 

Then they made all manner of people to leave 
and kept there no more persons than a priest and 
two other ancient personages who knew the cus- 
toms, laws and ordinances of the town. Then 
they prepared the castle to lodge the king and 



222 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

queen, and prepared other houses for the king's 
company. Then the king mounted on his horse 
and entered into the town with trumpets, tabours, 
necaires and horns. 

The king gave to sir Walter of Manny divers 
fair houses within the town, and to the earl 
Stafford, to the lord of Cobham, to sir Bartholo- 
mew of Burgherst, and to other lords, to repeople 
the town. The king's mind was when he came 
into England to send out of London thirty-six 
good burgesses to Calais to dwell there, and to do 
so much that the town might be peopled with pure 
Englishmen ; the which intent the king fulfilled. 

Then the new town and fortress that was made 
without the town was pulled down, and also the 
castle that stood on the haven, and the great tim- 
bers and stones brought into the town. Then the 
king set men to keep the gates, walls and barriers, 
and amended all things within the town. 

Sir John of Vienne and his company were sent 
into England, and were half a year at London, 
and then they were put to ransom. Methink it 
was great pity of the burgesses and other men of 
the town of Calais, and women and children, 
when they were obliged to forsake their houses, 
heritages and goods, and to bear away nothing. 
And they had no restorement of the French king, 
for whose sake they lost all. The most part of 
them went to Saint Omer's. 



The Betrothal of the Earl of 

Flanders: A Mediaeval 

Love Story 

WHILE the king of England lay at siege 
before Calais, as hath been shown in the 
foregoing chapter, he sent still messen- 
gers to them of Flanders, and made them great 
promises to keep their amity with him, and to 
oppress the drift of the French king, who did all 
that he could to draw them to his opinion. 

The king of England would gladly that the 
earl Louis of Flanders, who was then but fifteen 
years of age, should have in marriage his daugh- 
ter Isabel. So much did the king that the Flem- 
ings agreed thereto. Whereof the king was glad, 
for he thought by that marriage the Flemings 
would the gladlier help him. And the Flemings 
thought, by having of the king of England on 
their party they might well resist the Frenchmen. 
They thought the love of the king of England more 
necessary and profitable to them than the French 
king. 

But the young earl, who had ever been nour- 
ished among the noblemen of France, would not 
agree, and said plainly, he would not have for his 
wife the daughter of him that slew his father.* 

* Slain at the battle of Crecy. See page 208. 
223 



224 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

Also duke John of Brabant endeavored greatly 
that the earl of Flanders should have his daughter 
in marriage, promising him that if he would take 
her for his wife, he would cause him to enjoy the 
whole earldom of Flanders, either by fair means 
or otherwise. Also the duke said to the French 
king, "Sir, if the earl of Flanders will take my 
daughter, I shall find the means that all the 
Flemings shall take your part and forsake the 
king of England' ' — by which promise the French 
king agreed to that marriage. 

When the duke of Brabant had the king's 
good-will, then he sent certain messengers into 
Flanders to the burgesses of the good towns, and 
showed them so fair reasons that the counsels of 
the good towns sent to the earl, their natural lord, 
certifying him that if he would come into Flan- 
ders and use their counsel, they would be to him 
true and good friends and deliver to him all the 
rights and jurisdictions of Flanders, as much as 
ever any earl had. The earl took counsel and 
went into Flanders, where he was received with 
great joy and given to him many great presents. 

As soon as the king of England heard of this, 
he sent into Flanders the earl of Northampton, 
the earl of Arundel and the lord Cobham. They 
did so much with the officers and commons of 
Flanders, that they had rather that their lord the 
earl should take for his wife the king of Eng- 
land's daughter than the daughter of the duke of 
Brabant. So to do the men of Flanders earnestly 
desired the earl, and showed him many fair rea- 
sons to draw him to that way, and the burgesses 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 225 

that were on the duke of Brabant's party durst 
not say the contrary. 

But then the earl in no wise would consent 
thereto, but ever he said he would not wed her 
whose father had slain his, though he might have 
half of the whole realm of England. 

When the Flemings saw that, they said how 
their lord was too much French and evil coun- 
seled, and also said how they would do no good 
to him since he would not believe their counsels. 
Then they took and put him in courteous prison, 
and said how he should never depart without he 
would follow and believe their counsels. Also 
they said that the earl, his father, believed and 
loved too much the Frenchmen; for if he had 
believed them he would have been the greatest 
lord in all Christendom, and yet alive. 

Thus the matter abode a certain space. The 
king of England lay still at the siege before 
Calais, and kept a great court that Christmas. 

The earl of Flanders was long in danger among 
the Flemings in courteous prison, and it greatly 
annoyed him. Then at last he said he would 
believe their counsel; for he knew well, he said, 
that he should have more profit there than in any 
other country. 

These words greatly rejoiced the Flemings. 
They took him out of prison and suffered him to 
go a-hawking to the river — which sport the earl 
loved well. But ever there was good watch laid 
on him, that he should not steal away from them, 
and they, and also such as were favorable to the 
king of England, were charged on their lives to 

15 



226 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

take good heed of him. They watched him so 
near, that he could do nothing without their 
knowledge. 

This endured so long that at last the earl said 
that he would gladly have for his wife the king 
of England's daughter. Then the Flemings sent 
word thereof to the king and queen, and appointed 
a day that they should come to Bergues, in the 
abbey, and bring their daughter with them. And 
they, the Flemings, would bring thither their 
lord, the earl of Flanders, and there conclude the 
marriage. The king and queen were glad thereof, 
and said that the Flemings were good men. 

So to Bergues, between Newport and Grave- 
lines came the most respectable men of the good 
towns in Flanders, and brought with them the 
earl, their lord, in great estate. The king of 
England and the queen were there ready. 

The earl courteously inclined to the king and 
to the queen. The king took the earl by the right 
hand right sweetly, and led him forth saying, "As 
for the death of the earl your father, as God help 
me, the day of the battle of Crecy, nor the next 
day after, I never heard word of him that he 
should be there.' ' 

The young earl made as though he had been 
content with the king's excuse. Then they fell in 
communication of the marriage. There were cer- 
tain articles agreed unto by the king of England 
and the earl Louis of Flanders, and great amities 
there were sworn to be holden between them. 
And there the earl betrothed Isabel, the king of 
England's daughter, and promised to wed her. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 227 

So that journey broke off, and a new day was 
appointed for more leisure. The Flemings re- 
turned into Flanders with their lord, and the king 
of England with the queen went again to the siege 
of Calais. 

Thus the matter stood a certain time, and the 
king and the queen prepared greatly for the 
marriage in jewels and other things to give away 
according to their dignities. 

The earl of Flanders daily passed the time at 
the river, and made as if this marriage pleased 
him greatly. So the Flemings thought they were 
sure of him and there was not so great watch 
made on him as before. But thev knew not well 
the condition of their lord, for whatsoever coun- 
tenance he made outward, his inward courage was 
all French. 

So on a day he went forth with his hawks, the 
same week that the marriage should have been 
finished. His falconer cast off a falcon to a 
heron, and the earl cast off another. These two 
falcons chased the heron, and the earl rode after, 
as to follow his falcon. And when he was a good 
way off and had the advantage of the fields, he 
dashed his spurs to his horse and galloped forth 
m such wise that his keepers lost him. Still he 
galloped straight on till he came into Artois, and 
there he was in surety. Then he rode into France 
to king Philip and showed him all his adventure. 
The king and the Frenchmen said how he had 
dealt wisely. 

The Englishmen on the other hand said that 
he had betrayed and deceived them. But for all 



228 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

that, the English king left not to keep the Flem- 
ings in amity, for he knew well the earl had done 
this deed not by their counsel ; for they were sore 
displeased therewith. And the excuse they made 
the king soon believed in their behalf. 

[The following conclusion of the earl's esca- 
pade is commonly not included in Froissart's 
account.] 

You have heard related how the young earl 
Louis of Flanders had been betrothed to the lady 
Isabel, daughter of king Edward of England, and 
afterwards he had escaped from Flanders into 
France, where he was joyfully received by the 
king and his barons, who told him he had acted 
wisely. And the king added that he would other- 
wise ally him more to his honor and profit. 

Things remained in this state for about a year. 
Duke John of Brabant was not much displeased 
at this. He sent ambassadors to king Philip to 
entreat that he would consent to the match be- 
tween the earl of Flanders and his daughter ; that 
if he consented, he would in future be his good 
neighbor, and that neither he nor any of his chil- 
dren would ever bear arms again for the king of 
England. 

The king of France, who knew the duke of 
Brabant to be a powerful lord, that could hurt or 
assist him according to his pleasure, listened to 
his proposal in preference to any other, and let 
the duke know that if he could prevail on the 
states of Flanders to consent to this marriage, he 
would be agreeable to it, and would press it on 
the earl. The duke, in his answer, engaged for 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 229 

the consent of the states. He instantly sent able 
commissioners to chief towns to negotiate with 
them this marriage. He treated, I may say, with 
sword in hand. For he gave them to understand 
that if they married the young earl otherwise, he 
would instantly declare war against them. And 
on the contrary, if they complied with his desire, 
lie would unite himself strongly with them, and 
defend them against any other lords. 

The councils of the towns heard with attention 
the proposals and promises the duke of Brabant, 
their neighbor, made them. They knew their 
young lord was not within their power, but under 
the direction of the king of France, and the lady 
his mother, and that his heart was wholly French. 
Upon consideration, therefore, they thought that 
as the duke of Brabant was a very powerful 
prince, and of great enterprise, it would be much 
more advantageous to conclude a match with him 
than with any one else ; for by it they would enjoy 
peace, and have their lord again among them. 

The business was so arranged that the young 
earl of Flanders was brought to the city of Arras 
whither the duke of Brabant sent his eldest son 
and all his council. The chief towns of Flanders 
sent thither also their magistrates. Many con- 
ferences were held; and the young earl and his 
countrymen engaged for his marriage with the 
daughter of the duke of Brabant. 

Not long after this, the young earl came back 
to Flanders, where due homage was paid him. 
The earl married the duke's daughter. The duke 
gave so much to his daughter that great wars were 



230 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

the consequence between Flanders and Brabant 
in after times. 

The king of England was sorely vexed with 
all parties for this marriage — with the duke of 
Brabant because he was his cousin-german, and 
had carried off from his daughter the heir of 
Flanders, to whom she was betrothed; with the 
earl because he had broken his engagement with 
him respecting his daughter. However the duke 
sent very prudent and handsome apologies; as 
did afterwards the earl of Flanders, 



The Pride of the Earl of Pem- 
broke: and how Sir John 
Chandos came to the 
Earl's Succor 

This finely described episode in the long war between English 
and French introduces one of the most famed knights of his 
time. The date is about the year 1369. Sir John Chandos was, 
says Froissart, ' ' the flower of all chivalry. " " The Englishmen 
loved him, " says the chronicler, ''because all nobleness was 
found in him. The Frenchmen hated him because they feared 
him"; and further Froissart adds, "He was so well beloved with 
the king of England that the king would believe him rather than 
any other in the world. ' ' "He was so sage and imaginative that 
(had he lived) he would have found some manner of good means 
whereby the peace might have ensued between the realms of 
England and France." 

THE PRIDE OF THE EAEL OF 
PEMBROKE 

DURING this time certain feats of arms 
were performed in Poitou which ought not 
to be forgotten. 
Sir John Chandos, who was seneschal of 
Poitou, like a hardy and valiant knight ever desir- 
ing to find the Frenchmen to fight with them, 
assembled together at Poitiers a certain number 
of men of arms saying how he would ride into 
Anjou, and return again by Touraine, and see the 
Frenchmen in the marches and frontiers. 

This purpose he signified to the earl of Pem- 

231 



232 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

broke, who lay at Montague in garrison with two 
hundred spears; at which tidings the earl was 
joyful and was well content to have ridden forth. 
But some of the knights of his counsel broke his 
purpose, and said, "Sir, ye be as yet but young; 
your nobleness is yet to come. And, sir, if you 
put yourself in the company of sir John Chandos, 
whatsoever ye do he shall have the fame and 
voice thereof, for ye shall be reputed but as his 
companion. Therefore, sir, it is better for you, 
since ye be so great a lord, that ye do your enter- 
prises by yourself apart and let sir John Chandos 
do his by himself.' ' These words and others 
abated the earl's desire, and he had no more will 
to go forth with sir John Chandos, and so made 
excuse to him. 

Howbeit sir John would not break his purpose 
in going forth to do his enterprise, but made his 
assembly at Poitiers, and so departed with three 
hundred spears of knights and squires and two 
hundred archers. 

These men of arms rode forth in good order 
and passed Poitou and entered into Anjou. Then 
they sent forth their couriers before them to burn 
and lay waste the country. So they did many 
evils to that good plentiful country of Anjou, and 
none came to fight with them, and they tarried 
there the space of fifteen days. Then they re- 
turned again between Anjou and Touraine, along 
by the river Crouse, and so entered into the land 
of the viscount of Eochechouart, and burnt and 
wasted the country and left nothing abroad 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 233 

without the fortress, and assailed the town of 
Rochechouart. 

Now sir John Chandos had knowledge how the 
marshal of France, sir Louis of Sancerre, with a 
great number of men of war was at La Haye in 
Touraine, and he had great desire to go thither, 
and sent word to the earl of Pembroke desiring 
him to go with him to La Haye. The herald went 
on this message and found the earl at Montagne, 
where he had already assembled a certain number 
to the intent to make a journey on his enemies. 

By the counsel of his knights the earl again 
made his excuse, saying he could not come to sir 
John Chandos at that time. Then the herald 
returned and showed his master the answer from 
the earl of Pembroke. 

When sir John heard he was not well content 
in his mind, for he perceived how the earl left his 
enterprise by presumption and pride. He said, 
"Well, in God's name, so be it," and gave leave 
to the most part of his company to depart, and 
he went again to the city of Poitiers. 

As soon as the earl of Pembroke knew that sir 
John Chandos was gone back again to the city 
of Poitiers, and had given leave to his men to 
depart, then the earl prepared to ride forth, and 
with him three hundred spears, English and Poite- 
vins, and so departed from Montagne. Certain 
knights and squires who had been with sir John 
Chandos, came to the earl of Pembroke, and went 
forth in his company. So they passed through 
Poitou, and took the same way that sir John 
Chandos had taken before and so entered Anjou, 



234 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

and burnt and ravaged the country and took all 
that was left. 

When the Frenchmen who were in the garri- 
sons in the marches of Touraine, Anjou and 
Poitou, heard of these two journeys thus made in 
the country of Anjou, and heard how that for 
pride the earl of Pembroke, a young man, dis- 
dained to go forth in the company of sir John 
Chandos, then they determined to encounter him, 
thinking more easily to discomfort him than sir 
John Chandos. They assembled together secretly 
a certain number out of every garrison there- 
about, and they made their captain, sir Louis of 
Sancerre, marshal of France, and in a night they 
went forth by La Eoche-posay in Poitou. 

The earl of Pembroke had made an end of the 
burning of the viscount of Eochechouart's lands, 
and was returning into Poitou. These English- 
men and Poitevins rode without dismay, and 
heard no manner of tidings of any men of war, 
and so with pillage and prey, one day about high 
noon, they entered a village called Puirenon, and 
took lodgings, thinking themselves in safety. 

Their varlets were setting up their horses and 
dressing their supper when suddenly the French- 
men, who were well advised of what they should 
do, came into town. Crying their cry, ' ' Our lady 
of Sancerre for the marshal of France/ ' they beat 
down the Englishmen on every side, in the streets 
and houses. 

The noise was so great that it raised men up 
in great fright, and came to the earl of Pembroke, 
sir Thomas Percy and other knights, and they 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 235 

went out of their lodgings and assembled their 
companies. But they could not draw all together 
for the Frenchmen were so strong. At the first 
brunt there were taken and slain more than six 
score, so that the earl had no remedy but to with- 
draw as soon as he might into a place of the 
Knights Templars inclosed with stone walls. 

When the Frenchmen knew that the English- 
men were in that place, they were thereof right 
joyous, saying among themselves, "They cannot 
escape us; they are all ours; they shall now 
dearly repay the damage they have done in Anjou 
and Touraine. M So they drew to the place in 
good order, and assailed right fiercely, and there 
was showed many a noble feat of arms. 

The earl and the Englishmen pained them- 
selves as much as they might to defend themselves. 
The Frenchmen had certain scaling ladders, and 
some of them adventured to mount upon the walls 
with shields before them for fear of shot and 
casting of stones. But when they were up they 
were fiercely received by knights and squires, who 
with spears and swords in their hands fought 
with the Frenchmen hand to hand, and caused 
them to descend down faster than they came up; 
and such archers as were within, shot so fiercely 
that the Frenchmen drew back. 

So this assault endured till night. Then the 
Frenchmen, right weary and sore travailed, 
sounded the retreat, saying that they had done 
enough for that day and that they purposed to 
come next morning to the assault. "All things 
considered,' ' the Frenchmen said^ "surely they 



236 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

are ours; they cannot long endure against ns. 
We shall rather famish them." So they lodged 
them that night and kept good watch. 

You may know for truth that the earl of Pem- 
broke and his company were not well at their ease, 
for they saw they were in great jeopardy. The 
fortress was not strong enough to endure long 
against so many good knights as were against 
them. Also they lacked victuals and artillery to 
keep the place long. Howbeit, they made no sign 
for they thought to fast a day and a night, if 
need be. 

When it was dark night they desired a squire 
in whom they had great trust to depart out at 
a back postern and to ride to Poitiers to speak 
with sir John Chandos and show him what case 
they were in, showing him also how, if he list, he 
might come time enough to rescue them, for they 
trusted to defend the place till the next day past 
noon. 

The squire, who saw the danger they were in, 
said he would gladly do their message, and also 
he said he knew the way thither, and so about 
midnight he departed by a back postern and took 
the way to Poitiers. Howbeit for all his knowl- 
edge, he went all night out of the way so that it 
was fair day ere he could get into the right way. 

When it was morning the Frenchmen armed 
them and sounded the assault, saying how they 
would assault the place in the cool of the morning 
rather than in the heat of the day. The earl of 
Pembroke had slept but little, for all the night he 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 237 

and his company were fortifying the wall with 
stones and other things. 

The Frenchmen had scaling ladders, and some 
mounted up the walls with shields to defend their 
heads; they thought it a great honor whosoever 
could mount first. Howbeit the Englishmen were 
not idle, but ready to defend themselves mar- 
velously, and so they cast down stones on the 
shields and helmets, and overthrew, slew and 
hurt divers, and did such deeds of arms that you 
never heard of so feeble a place so well defended 
— with so few people against so many good 
knights and squires. 

Between morning and nine of the day, when 
the assault was fiercest and the Frenchmen were 
sore displeased that the Englishmen endured so 
long, they sent to the villages thereabouts for 
pikes and mattocks to break down and undermine 
the wall — which thing the Englishmen feared 
most Then the earl of Pembroke called a squire 
to him and said, "Friend, take my courser, and 
issue out at the back postern, and ride straight to 
Poitiers, and show sir John Chandos the state and 
danger that we be in, and recommend me to him 
by thi.s token,' ' and took a ring from his finger 
and delivered to him and said, "Take sir John 
this ring. He knoweth it right well. ,, 

The squire who took the enterprise thought it 
should be a great honor to him if he might achieve 
to escape and bring the message to sir John 
Chandos He took the ring, and mounted at once 
on his courser, and went out a private way and 
took the way to Poitiers. In the mean season 



238 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

the assault was terrible and fierce by the French- 
men, and the Englishmen defended themselves 
right valiantly with good courage, as it stood 
them well in hand so to do. 

Now let us speak of the first squire that 
departed from Puirenon at the hour of midnight. 
All the night he rode out of his way, and when it 
was morning and fair day, then he knew his way 
and so rode toward Poitiers, and by that time his 
horse was weary. He came thither by nine of 
the clock, and alighted before sir John Chandos' 
lodgings, and entered, and found him at church 
service, and so came and kneeled down before 
him and did his message as he was commanded. 

Now sir John Chandos was not content since 
that other day when the earl of Pembroke would 
not ride with him, as you have heard, wherefore 
he was not lightly inclined to make any great 
haste, but said, "It will be hard for us to come 
thither time enough and bear out this service.' ■ 

And anon after service the tables were covered 
ready for dinner, and the servants demanded of 
him if he would go to dinner, and he said, "Yes, 
since it is ready." Then he went into his hall, 
and knights and squires brought him water, and 
as he was a washing there came into the hall the 
second squire from the earl of Pembroke and 
kneeled down and took the ring out of his purse, 
and said, "Eight dear sir, the earl of Pembroke 
recommendeth him to you by this token, and 
desireth you heartily to come and comfort him 
and bring him out of the danger that he and his 
be in at Puirenon. ' ' 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 239 

Then sir John Chandos took the ring and 
knew it well and said, "To come thither betimes 
it were hard, if they be in that case as ye show 
me. Let ns go to dinner,' ' and so sat down, and 
all his company, and ate the first course. And as 
he was served of the second course and was eating 
thereof, sir John Chandos, who greatly had con- 
sidered the matter, at last cast up his head and 
said to his company, "Sirs, the earl of Pembroke 
is a noble man. He is son to my natural lord, the 
king of England, for he hath wedded his daughter. 
He hath required me to come to him in his busi- 
ness and I ought to consent to his desire and to 
succor and comfort him, if we may come betimes.' ' 
Therewith he put the table from him and said, 
"Sirs, I will ride toward Puirenon. ,, 

At this his people had great joy and at once 
appareled them, and the trumpets sounded and 
every man mounted on his horse — as soon as they 
heard that sir John Chandos would ride to 
Puirenon to comfort the earl of Pembroke and 
his company who were besieged there. Every 
knight, squire and man of arms went out into the 
field, so they were more than two hundred spears, 
and alway they increased. 

Thus as they rode forth together, tidings came 
to the Frenchmen by their spies, who said to them, 
"Sirs, advise you well, for sir John Chandos is 
departed from Poitiers with more than two hun- 
dred spears and is coming hitherward in great 
haste, and hath great desire to find you here." 

And when sir Louis of Sancerre and sir John 
of Vienne and other captains heard those tidings, 



240 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

the wisest among them said, "Sirs, our people 
are sore weary and travailed with assaulting of 
the Englishmen, both yesterday and this day. 
Therefore I think it were better that fair and 
easily we return in safeguard with such winnings 
and prisoners as we have got, rather than abide 
the adventure of the coming of sir John Chandos 
and his company, who are all fresh and lusty, for 
I fear we may lose more than we shall win." 

The counsel was well believed. Then their 
trumpets sounded the retreat, and all their com- 
pany withdrew from the assault and assembled 
together and took their way to La Roche-posay. 

The earl of Pembroke and his company knew 
thereby how the Frenchmen had knowledge of the 
coming of sir John Chandos. Then the earl said, 
' ' Sirs, let us all issue out and ride toward Poitiers 
to meet with my dear friend, sir John Chandos.' ' 
Then they leapt a-horseback, such as had any 
horses, and some went afoot, and some two and 
two on a horse, and so they issued out of the 
castle and rode toward Poitiers. 

They had not ridden a league before they 
encountered sir John Chandos and his company, 
and there was a joyful meeting. Sir John Chandos 
said that he was sore displeased that he came not 
ere the Frenchmen were departed. And so they 
rode together talking the space of three leagues, 
and then they took leave each of other. 

Sir John Chandos returned to Poitiers, and 
the earl of Pembroke to Montagne from whence 
he first departed. And the Frenchmen and their 
company returning to Posay, there distributed 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 241 

their booty; and then every man went to their 
own garrison and led with them their prisoners, 
and ransomed them courteously in like manner as 
was accustomed between the Englishmen and 
Frenchmen. 



Gaston, Earl of Foix: how he 
lived; how he kept Christ- 
mas: Feat of Strength 
of the Bourg of Spain 

In his fifty-first year, that is, in 1388, Froissart made a 
journey from the north of France to the south. A part of what 
he saw and heard and recorded is in this and the three following 
stories. The reasons for his journey he gives at the very opening 
of this tale. 

Thece stories make plain that the luxury-loving earl of Foix 
found speedy enjoyment in the knowledge, poise and agreeable 
bearing that distinguished his guest, the chronicler. 

The estates of Foix lay just north of the Pyrenees and south 
of Toulouse. 

GASTON, EAEL OF FOIX 

I, JOHN FROISSART, who have taken on me 
to chronicle this present history, considering 
in myself how there were no great deeds of 
arms likely in the parts of Picardy or Flanders, 
seeing peace was made between the duke and 
them of Gaunt, and greatly annoyed to be idle, 
for I knew well that after my death this noble and 
high history should have a course wherein divers 
noble men should have great pleasure and delight, 
and as yet, I thank God, I have understanding 
and remembrance of all things past, and my wit 
quick and sharp enough to conceive all things 
showed to me touching my principal matters, and 

242 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 243 

my body as yet able to endure and sutler pain, I 
thought I would pursue my first purpose. 

And to the intent to know the truth of deeds 
in far countries, I found occasion to go to the high 
and mighty earl of Foix and of Beam. For I 
knew well that if I might have the grace to come 
into his house, and to be there at leisure, I could 
not be so informed to my purpose in any other 
place of the world. For thither resorted all man- 
ner of knights and strange squires, for the great 
nobleness of the said earl. 

As I imagined, so I did, and showed to my 
redoubted lord, the earl of Blois, mine intent, and 
he gave me letters of recommendation to the earl 
of Foix. So long I rode without peril or damage 
that I came to his house called Orthez in the 
county of Beam, on saint Katherine's day,* the 
year of grace one thousand three hundred four- 
score and eight. 

In my journey I came to the good city of 
Pamiers, pertaining to the earl of Foix, and 
there I tarried abiding for some company going 
into the county of Beam. And when I had tar- 
ried there a three days in great pleasure, for the 
city was delectable, standing among the fair vines 
and environed with a river large and clear, it 
fortuned that thither came a knight of the earl of 
Foix, called Espang de Lyon, a valiant and an 
expert man of arms about the age of fifty years. 
So I got me into his company. We were a six days 
in our journey ere we came to Orthez, and this 
knight every day, most part all the day, conversed 

* The 25th of November according to our more exact calendar. 



244 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

with me, asking of tidings of the matter of France, 
and also when I asked anything of him, he would 
answer me to my purpose. 

So we rode fair and easily, and all the matters 
that sir E spang de Lyon showed me right well 
contented me. And every night I wrote ever all 
that I heard from him in the day, the better 
thereby to have it in remembrance, for writing is 
the best remembrance that may be. 

At last one day by sun- setting we came to 
Orthez.* The knight, sir Espang of Lyon, 
alighted at his own lodging and I alighted at The 
Moon,f where dwelt a squire of the earl's, who 
well received me because I was of France. 

Sir Espang of Lyon went to the castle to the 
earl and found him in his gallery, for he had but 
dined a little before; for the earl's usage was 
always that it was high noon ere he arose out of 
his bed, and he supped ever at midnight. The 
knight showed him how I was come thither, and 
at once I was sent for to my lodging — for the earl 
of all men of the world most desired to speak 
with strangers to hear tidings. 

When the earl saw me he made me good cheer 
and said how he knew me, and yet he never saw 
me before, but he had often heard speaking of 
me. And so he retained me in his house to my 
great ease, with the help of letters I brought, so 
that I might tarry there at my pleasure. 

* Orthez, residence of the court of the earl of Foix, is now a dull 
town of the Pyrenean country about twenty-five miles northwest of its 
gay, health-resort neighbor Pau. Of the castle of the earls of Foix and 
its abounding life which the chronicler now describes, little remains save 
the stones of the keep. 

t The inn called La Lune, or The Moon, is now rebuilt and re-named 
La belle Hotesse. 




When the Earl of Foix saw Froissart he made him good cheer and 
said how he knew him, and yet he never saw him before, but he had often 
heard speaking of him. And so he retained him in his house to his great 
ease, with the help of letters he brought, so that he might tarry there at 
his pleasure. 

The original of this picture is in a manuscript of the fifteenth century. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 245 

And the earl himself, if I did demand any- 
thing of him, he did show me all he knew, saying 
to me that how the history I had begun should 
hereafter be more praised than any other; and 
the reason he said why this was that in the fifty 
years past had been done more marvelous deeds 
of arms than in the three hundred before that. 
Thus was I in the court of the earl of Foix well 
cherished and at my pleasure more than twelve 
weeks ; and my horse well entreated. 

The acquaintance of the earl and of me was 
strengthened because I had brought with me a 
book which I had made, containing all the songs, 
ballads, rondeaux and virelays which Wenceslaus, 
the gentle duke of Luxemburg, had made in his 
time, and which I had gathered together. This 
book the earl of Foix was glad to see, and every 
night after supper I read therefrom to him, and 
while I read there was none durst speak any word 
because he and I should be well understood. In 
these readings the earl had great solace, and 
when it came to any matters of question, then he 
would speak to me in good and fair French. 

Of this earl's house I made some record, for 
I tarried there so long that I might well perceive 
and know much. The earl in this year 1388 was 
fifty and nine years of age. I say I have in my 
time seen many knights, kings, princes and others, 
but I never saw any like him of personage — of so 
fair form or so well made. His visage was fair, 
sanguine and smiling ; his eyes gray, and amorous 
whenever he chose to show his regard. In every 
thing he was so perfect that he cannot be praised 



246 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

too much. He loved what ought to be beloved, 
and hated what ought to be hated. He was a 
wise knight of high enterprise and of good 
counsel. He never had any miscreant with him. 

Every day he gave five florins in small money 
at his gate to poor folks for the love of God. He 
was large and courteous in his gifts; he could 
right well take where it pertained to him, and to 
deliver again where he ought. He loved dogs of 
all beasts. He never loved foolish outrages or 
foolish expenditure. 

Every month he would know what he spent; 
to serve him in receiving revenues he took twelve 
notable persons, and ever from two months to two 
months two of them should serve for his receipt. 
At the two months' end he would change and put 
other two into that office. The one he trusted 
best should be his controller, and to him all others 
should account, and the controller accounted to 
the earl. Certain coffers he had in his chamber, 
out of which oft-times he would take money to 
give to lords, knights and squires, such as came 
to him, for none should depart from him without 
some gift, and yet daily multiplied his treasures. 

He was of good and easy acquaintance with 
every man, and amorously would speak to them. 
He was short in counsel and answers. He had 
four secretaries, and at his rising they must ever 
be ready at his hand without any calling. And 
when any letter was delivered to him, and he had 
read it, he would give to them to answer. 

In this estate the earl of Foix lived. At mid- 
night when he came out of his chamber into the 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 247 

hall to supper he had ever before him twelve 
torches burning, borne by twelve varlets standing 
before his table all the supper. The torches gave 
a great light, and the hall was ever full of knights 
and squires — and also many tables dressed for 
those who would sup. There was none who 
should speak to the earl at his table unless he 
were called. 

His meat was commonly wild fowl, the legs 
and wings only, and in the day he did but little 
eat and drink. He had great pleasure in the 
harmony of instruments, of which he knew right 
well. He also had songs sung. He gladly saw 
strange kinds of dishes, and when he had seen he 
would send them to the other tables. 

Before I came to this earl's court I had been 
in many courts of kings, dukes, princes, earls and 
great ladies, but I was never in any one that I 
liked so well, and where none more rejoiced in 
deeds of arms than the earl did. 

There were seen in his hall, chamber and court, 
knights and squires of honor going up and down 
and talking of arms and of amours. All honor 
there was found; all manner of tidings of every 
realm and country there might be heard ; for out 
of every country men came because of the valiant- 
ness of this earl. There I was informed of deeds 
done in Spain, in Portugal, in Aragon, in Navarre, 
in England and in Scotland. For I saw come 
thither to the earl while I was there knights and 
squires of all nations. And so I was informed by 
them and by the earl himself of all things that I 
demanded. 



248 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

Among other solemnities that the earl of Foix 
kept on the high feasts of the year, he kept the 
feast of saint Nicholas in great solemnity, he 
and all his land. This was showed me by a squire 
of his house the third day I came thither, and I 
saw it myself right well apparent, for I was there 
on the very day. First, all the clergy of the town 
of Orthez and all the people, men, women and chil- 
dren, with procession came to the castle to fetch 
the earl, who all afoot departed from his castle 
and went with the procession to the church of 
saint Nicholas. There the clergy sang a psalm 
from the psalter of David, and when this psalm 
was sung, then the singers, of whom the earl had 
many with him, began to sing as they did on 
Easter day in the French king's chapel. And 
there I heard as good playing on organs as ever 
I heard in any place. 

To speak briefly and according to reason, the 
earl of Foix then was right perfect in all things, 
and as sage and as perceiving as any high prince 
in his days. There was none could compare with 
him in wit, honor or in liberality. 

At this feast of Christmas came to his house 
many knights and squires of Gascony, and to 
every man he made good cheer. There I saw the 
bourg of Spain, of whom sir Espang de Lyon had 
told me. Of all the men in Gascony there was 
none like this bourg of Snain in strength of body; 
therefore the earl of Foix hath him ever in his 
company. It happened not three years ago that 
he did in sport a great deed as I shall show you. 

On that Christmas day the earl of Foix held 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES' 249 

a great feast with a plenty of knights and squires, 
as is his usage. It was a cold day, and the earl 
dined in the hall, and with him a great company 
of lords. And after dinner he departed out of 
the hall, and went up into a gallery twenty-four 
stairs of height, in which gallery there was a 
great chimney wherein they made fire when the 
earl was there. At that time there was but a 
small fire, for the earl loved no great fire; how- 
beit he had wood enough there about. 

The same day there was a great frost and it 
was very cold. And when the earl was in the 
gallery and saw the fire so little, he said to the 
knights and squires about him, "Sirs, this is but 
a small fire and the day so cold. ' ' 

Then the bourg of Spain went down the stairs, 
and beneath in the court he saw a great many 
asses laden with wood to serve the house. He 
went to and seized the largest of the asses with 
all the wood, and laid him on his back, and went 
up all the stairs into the gallery and did cast 
down the ass with all the wood upon the hearth 
of the huge chimney, the ass's feet sticking 
upward. 

Thereof the earl of Foix had great merriment, 
and so had all they that were there, and they 
marveled at this bourg's strength, how he came 
up all the stairs with the ass and the wood on his 
neck. 



How Gaston, the Earl's Son 

and also Fifteen Men 

died 

In the foregoing story Froissart says of the earl of Foix, "In 
every way he was so perfect he can not be praised too much. " 
When you read the story of his young son, this description will 
come to your mind. The earl was called ' ' Phoebus, ; ' that is, ' ' the 
Shining One," on account of his personal beauty. Possibly to 
beauty of the body this sentence of Froissart refers. The 
following story tells that the earl tortured a boy, his own son 
and heir, with astonishing rigor. No soul with larger vision of 
justice seemed to interfere to protect the innocent child. 

In reading we must bear in mind the difference between our 
own century and the fourteenth in practices of humanity and 
protection of the weak and defenseless — how since that time has 
developed, and now among us still every day are evolving, defenses 
of the young and inexperienced and oppressed. 

HOW GASTON, THE EARL'S SON, DIED 

WHILE I was in Orthez I inquired how 
Gaston, the earl's son, died, for sir 
Espang of Lyon would not show me 
anything thereof. And so much I inquired that 
an ancient squire and a notable man told the 
matter to me in this wise : 

True it is that the earl of Foix and my lady 
of Foix agree not well together, and have not 
done for a long season. Discord between them 
was first moved by the king of Navarre, brother 
of the lady. For the king of Navarre offered to 
pledge himself for the lord d'Albret, whom the 

250 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 251 

earl of Foix had in prison, for the sum of fifty 
thousand francs. 

The earl of Foix, who knew that the king of 
Navarre was crafty and malicious, in the begin- 
ning would not trust him. Wherewith the coun- 
tess of Foix had great displeasure and indignation 
against the earl, her husband, and said to him, 
" Sir, ye repute but small honor to the king of 
Navarre, my brother, when ye will not trust him 
for fifty thousand francs. Though ye have no 
more from the d'Albrets than ye now have, it 
ought to suffice. And also, sir, ye know well ye 
should assign over my dower, which mounteth to 
fifty thousand francs, and put it into the hands 
of my brother; wherefore, sir, ye cannot be evil 
paid." 

"Dame," quoth the earl, "ye say truth. But 
if I thought the king of Navarre would stop the 
payment for that cause, the lord d'Albret should 
never leave Orthez till I had been paid to the 
last penny. Since, however, ye desire it I will do 
it, not for the love of you, but for the love of my 
son." 

So by these words and by the king of Na- 
varre's obligation, who became debtor to the earl 
of Foix, the lord d'Albret was delivered over, and 
married in France, and paid at his ease to the 
king of Navarre the sum of fifty thousand francs 
for his ransom, for which sum the king was bound 
to the earl of Foix. But the king would not send 
the money to the earl. 

Then the earl of Foix said to his wife, "Dame, 
ye must go into Navarre to the king, your brother, 



252 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

and show him how I am not well content with him, 
that he will not send me that which he hath of 
mine. ' ' 

The lady answered how she was ready to go, 
and so she departed and rode to Pampehina to 
the king, her brother, who received her with much 
joy. The lady did her message from point to 
point. 

Then the king answered, * ' Fair sister, the sum 
of money is yours. The earl should give it for 
your dower. It shall never go out of the realm 
of Navarre since I have it in possession." 

"Ah, sir," quoth the lady, "by this ye shall 
set great hate between the earl, my husband, and 
you. And if ye hold your purpose, I dare not 
return again into the country of Foix, for my 
husband will say I have deceived him and will 
put me to death." 

"I cannot tell," quoth the king, "what ye will 
do, whether tarry or depart. But as to the 
money, I will not let it depart; it shall never go 
out of Navarre. It pertaineth to me to keep it 
for you." 

The countess could have no other answer from 
the king, her brother, and so she tarried in Na- 
varre and durst not return to her husband. 

The earl of Foix, when he saw the dealing of 
the king of Navarre, began to hate his wife. 
Howbeit she was in no fault save she returned 
not when she had done her message. But she 
durst not return, for she knew well the earl, her 
husband, was cruel when he took displeasure. 
Thus the matter stood. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 253 

The earl's son, Gaston, grew and waxed 
goodly, a child of fifteen or sixteen years of age, 
and resembled right well his father. On a time 
he desired to go into Navarre to see his mother 
and his uncle, the king of Navarre, which was an 
evil hour for him and for all this country. 

When he was come into Navarre he had there 
good cheer and tarried with his mother a certain 
space and then took his leave. But for all that 
he could do, he could not get his mother out of 
Navarre, to return with him into Foix, for she 
demanded if the earl had commanded him so to 
do or no, and he answered that when he departed 
the earl spoke nothing thereof. Therefore the 
lady durst not go thither. 

Then the child went to Pampeluna to take 
leave of the king, his uncle. The king made him 
great cheer, and kept him ten days, and gave 
great gifts to him and his men. Also the last 
gift that the king gave him was his death, — I 
shall tell you how. 

When this youth should depart, the king drew 
him apart into his chamber and gave him a little 
purse full of powder, which powder was such that 
if any living creature did eat thereof he should 
at once die. Then the king said, "Gaston, fair 
nephew, ye shall do as I will show you. You see 
how the earl of Foix, your father, wrongfully 
hath your mother, my sister, in great hate. 
Therefore am I sore displeased, and so ought ye 
to be. Howbeit, to perform all the matter and 
that your father should love again your mother, 
to that intent ye shall take a little of this powder 



254 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

and put it on some meat, that your father may 
eat it. But beware that no man see you. And 
as soon as your father hath eaten it, he shall 
intend to nothing but to have again his wife and 
so to love her ever after ; which ye ought greatly 
to desire. Of this that I tell you let no man 
know, but keep it secret, or else ye lose all the 
deed." 

The child, who thought all that the king said 
to him had been true, said, * ' Sir, it shall be done 
as ye have devised," and so departed from Pam- 
peluna and returned to Orthez. 

The earl his father made him good cheer, and 
demanded tidings of the king of Navarre and 
what gifts he had given him ; and the child showed 
him how he had given him divers, and showed him 
all except the purse with the powder. 

Oftentimes this young Gaston and Yvain, his 
bastard brother, slept together, for they loved 
each other, and were like arrayed and appareled 
for they were near of a size and age. And it hap- 
pened on a time as their clothes lay together on 
the bed, Yvain saw a purse at Gaston's coat and 
said, "What thing is this that ye bear ever about 
you?" 

At this Gaston had no joy, and said, "Yvain, 
give me my coat, ye have nothing to do there- 
with"; and all that day after Gaston was pensive. 

And it fortuned three days after, as God 
would that the earl should be saved, Gaston and 
his brother Yvain fell out, together playing at 
tennis, and Gaston gave him a blow. The child 
went to his father's chamber and wept. And 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 255 

when the earl saw him weep, he said, "Son Yvain, 
what ailest thou?" 

"Sir," quoth he, "Gaston hath beaten me; but 
he were more worthy to be beaten than L" 

"Why so?" quoth the earl, and at once sus- 
pected something. 

"By my faith, sir," quoth he, "since he 
returned out of Navarre he beareth at his breast 
a purse full of powder. I wot not what it is, nor 
what he will do therewith, but he hath said to me 
once or twice that my lady, his mother, should 
shortly be again in your grace and better beloved 
than ever she was." 

"Peace," quoth the earl, "and speak no more, 
and tell this to no man living." 

"Sir," quoth Yvain, "no more I shall." 

Then the earl entered into thought, and so 
came to the hour of his dinner, and washed and 
sat down at his table in the hall. Gaston, his 
son, was used to set down all the dishes before 
him and to taste the meats. 

Now when the child had set down the first 
course, the earl cast his eyes on him and saw the 
strings of the purse hanging at his bosom. Then 
his blood grew hot, and he said, "Gaston, come 
hither, I will speak with thee in thine ear." The 
child came to him and the earl took him by the 
bosom and found the purse, and with his knife 
cut it from his bosom. 

The child was abashed, and stood still and 
spoke no word, but looked as pale as ashes for 
fear, and began to tremble. 

The earl of Foix opened the purse and took of 



256 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

the powder, and laid it on a trencher of bread and 
called to him a dog and gave it to him to eat; 
and as soon as the dog had eaten the first morsel, 
he tnrned his eyes in his head and died at once. 

And when the earl saw that, he was sore dis- 
pleased, and he had good cause, and he rose from 
the table and took his knife and would have 
stricken his son. Then the knights and the 
squires ran between them and said, "Sir, for 
God's sake have mercy and be not so hasty. Be 
well informed first of the matter, ere ye do any 
evil to your child." 

And the first word the earl said was, "Ah, 
Gaston, traitor, for to increase thine heritage that 
should come to thee, I have had war and hatred 
of the French king, of the king of England, of 
the king of Spain, of the king of Navarre, and 
of the king of Aragon, and as yet I have borne all 
their malices. And now thou wouldst murder 
me. It moveth of an evil nature, but first thou 
shalt die with this stroke.' ' And so stept forth 
with his knife and would have slain him. 

Then all the knights and squires kneeled down 
before him weeping and said: "Ah, sir, have 
mercy for God's sake, slay not Gaston, your son. 
Eemember ye have no more children. Sir, cause 
him to be kept, and take good information of the 
matter. Peradventure he knew not what he bore, 
and peradventure is nothing guilty of the deed." 

"Well," quoth the earl, "at once put him in 
prison, and let him be so kept that I may have a 
reckoning with him. ' ' 

Then the child was put in the tower, and the 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 257 

earl took a great many of them that served his 
son. But some of them departed, and as yet the 
bishop of Lescar is out of the country for he was 
had in suspicion. 

The earl caused to be put to death fifteen men, 
and the cause that he laid to them was that they 
knew of the child's secret, and they should have 
told him and have said, "Sir, Gaston, your son, 
beareth a purse at his bosom." Because they 
did not thus, they died horribly, whereof it was 
great pity, for some of them were as fresh and 
as jolly squires as were in all the country. 

This thing touched the earl near to the heart; 
and that he well showed. For on a day he as- 
sembled at Orthez all the nobles and prelates of 
Foix and Beam, and all the notable persons in 
his country. And when they were all assembled, 
he told them wherefore he sent for them, how he 
had found his son in this default, for which he 
said his intent was to put him to death as he well 
deserved. 

Then all the people answered to that case with 
one voice and said, "Sir, saving your grace, we 
will not that Gaston die. He is your heir and ye 
have no more." 

And when the earl heard the people, how they 
desired for his son, he somewhat refrained his 
ire. Then he thought to chastise him in prison 
a month or two, and then to send him on some 
voyage for two or three years till he himself had 
forgotten his evil will and the child had become 
of greater age and more knowledge. Then he 
gave leave to all the people to depart. 

17 



258 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

But they of Foix would not depart from 
Orthez till the earl should assure them Gaston 
should not die; — they loved the child so well. 
Then the earl promised them, but he said he 
would keep the child in prison a certain time to 
chastise him. And so upon this promise every 
man departed, and Gaston abode still in prison. 

The earl caused his son to be kept in a dark 
chamber in the tower of Orthez ten days. Little 
did the child eat or drink, yet he had enough 
brought him every day. But when he saw it, he 
would go therefrom, and set little thereby. And 
some said that all the meat brought him stood 
whole and entire the day of his death, — wherefore 
it was great marvel that he lived so long. 

For divers reasons the earl caused him to be 
kept in the chamber alone without any company, 
either to counsel or comfort him. And all that 
time the child lay in his clothes, as he had come 
in, and argued in himself, and was full of 
melancholy. 

The same day that he died, they that served 
him meat and drink, when they came to him said, 
"Gaston, here is meat for you." He made no 
care thereof, and said, "Set it down there." 

He that served him looked, and saw in the 
prison all the meat standing whole, as it had been 
brought him before. So he departed and closed 
the chamber door, and went to the earl and said, 
"Sir, for God's sake have mercy on your son 
Gaston, for he is near famished in prison. There 
he lieth. I think he hath eaten nothing since he 
came into prison, for I have seen there this day 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 259 

all that ever I brought him before lying together 
in a corner.' ' 

On hearing these words the earl was sore dis- 
pleased, and without speaking any word went out 
of his chamber and came to the prison where his 
son was. And in an evil hour he had the same 
time a little knife in his hand to pare withal his 
nails. 

He opened the prison door and came to his 
son, and had the little knife not an inch out of 
his hand. And in great displeasure he thrust his 
hand to his son's throat, and the point of the 
knife entered a little into a certain vein of Gas- 
ton's throat. "Ah, traitor," said the earl, "why 
dost thou not eat thy meat?" — and therewith he 
departed without saying any more and went into 
his own chamber. 

The child was abashed, and afraid of the com- 
ing of his father, and also was feeble from fasting, 
and after the point of the knife had entered the 
vein of his throat, he fell down and died. 

The earl was scarce in his chamber when the 
keeper of the child came to him and said, "Sir, 
Gaston, your son, is dead." 

"Dead?" quoth the earl. 

"Yea, truly, sir," quoth the keeper. 

The earl would not believe it, but sent thither 
a squire, who went and came again and said, 
"Sir, surely he is dead." 

Then the earl was sore displeased, and made 
great complaint for his son, and said, "Ah, Gas- 
ton, what a poor adventure is this for thee and 
for me. In an evil hour thou wentest to Navarre 



260 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

to see thy mother. I shall never again have the 
joy I had before." 

Then the earl caused his barber to shave him, 
and he clothed himself and all his honse in black, 
and with much sore weeping the child's body was 
borne to the church at Orthez and there buried. 



The Story of the Lord of 
Corasse and His Familiar Spirit 

Just as, in the chapter before this, the chronicler tells a most 
moving tale, and in the telling, and without design on his part, 
shows the cruelty of his time — giving us, also, a clear view of the 
life of the earl's court — so in this story we see the superstition 
of the squire, who upon an idle afternoon repeats the tale in a 
corner of the chapel at Orthez. We can see our reporter, the 
curious-minded and receptive Froissart, sitting on a bench in 
mellow sunshine, and absorbing into his memory the squire's 
account. 

In the story note the ease of the telling. We almost think that 
we ourselves are in the chapel with Froissart, "as divers men 
speaketh secretly when they be together as friends, ' ' and are 
making mental notes as the confiding squire proceeds. 

THE LORD OF CORASSE AND HIS 
FAMILIAR SPIRIT 

IT is great marvel to consider one thing which 
was showed me in the earl of Foix's house at 
Orthez — a thing I have oftentimes thought of 
since, and shall as long as I live. The squire that 
told me the tale drew me apart into a corner of 
the chapel at Orthez, saying, "I would not it 
should be known that I speak thereof ; but I shall 
show you as divers men speaketh secretly, when 
they be together as friends." And then he began 
his tale and said: 

It is well a twenty years past that there was 
in this country a baron called Raymond, lord of 
Corasse, which is seven leagues from this town of 
Orthez. This lord of Corasse had at that time 
a suit before the pope at Avignon for the dimes 

261 



262 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

or tithes of his church against a clerk curate 
there who was a priest of Catalonia. He was a 
great clerk, and claimed to have right of the dimes 
in the town of Corasse, which was valued at a hun- 
dred florins a year. And the right that he had he 
showed and proved in letters he had from another 
pope, Urban V, who in consistory general con- 
demned the knight and gave judgment with the 
priest. And with these letters he rode to Beam 
and there showed the writings for his possession 
of his dimes. 

The lord of Corasse had great indignation at 
this priest, and came to him and said, "Master 
Peter,' ' or "Master Martin," as his name was, 
"thinkest thou that by reason of thy letters I 
will lose mine heritage! Not so hardy shalt thou 
take any thing that is mine. If thou do, it shall 
cost thee thy life. Go thy way into some other 
place to get thee a benefice, for of my heritage 
thou gettest no part, and once for all I forbid 
thee." 

The clerk feared the knight, for he was a cruel 
man, therefore he durst not persevere. Then he 
thought to return to Avignon, as he did. But 
when he departed he came to the lord of Corasse 
and said : ' ' Sir, by force and not by right ye take 
away from me the right of my church, wherein ye 
greatly hurt your conscience. I am not so strong 
in this country as ye; but, sir, know for truth 
that, as soon as I may, I shall send you a cham- 
pion whom ye shall fear more than me." 

The knight, who feared not his threatenings, 
said, "God be with thee. Do what thou mayest, 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 263 

I fear you not at all. For all thy words I will 
not lose my heritage." 

Thus the clerk departed from the lord of 
Corasse and went I cannot tell whither, to 
Avignon or into Catalonia, and forgot not the 
promise he had made to the lord of Corasse ere 
he departed. For afterwards when the knight 
thought least on him, about three months after, 
as the knight lay abed of a night in his castle of 
Corasse, there came to him messengers invisible 
and made a marvelous tempest and noise in the 
castle, that it seemed as though the castle should 
have fallen down. And they struck great strokes 
at his chamber door that the good lady, his wife, 
was sore afraid 

The knight heard all, but he spake no word 
thereof, because he would show no abashed cour- 
age, for he was hardy to abide all adventures. 
This noise and tempest was in sundry places of 
the castle and dured a long space, and at last 
ceased for that night. 

Then the next morning all the servants of the 
house came to the lord when he had risen, and 
said: "Sir, have you not heard this night what 
we heard ?" 

The lord dissimulated and said, "What hav.e 
you heard?" 

Then they told him what noise they had heard, 
and how all the vessels in the kitchen were over- 
turned. 

Then the lord began to laugh, and said, "Yea, 
sirs, ye dreamed. It was nothing but the wind." 



264 STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 

"In the name of God," quoth the lady, "I 
heard it well." 

The next night there was as great noise and 
greater, and such strokes given at his chamber 
door and windows that it seemed they would have 
broken in pieces. The knight started up out of 
bed, and demanded who was at his chamber door 
that time of the night. Anon he was answered 
by a voice that said, "I am here." 

Quoth the knight, "Who sent thee hither!" 

"The clerk of Catalonia sent me hither," 
quoth the voice, ' ' to whom thou dost great wrong, 
for thou hast taken from him the rights of his 
benefice. I will not leave thee in rest till thou 
hast made him a good account, so that he be 
pleased." 

Quoth the knight, "What is thy name that art 
so good a messenger?" 

Quoth he, "I am called Orthon." 

"Orthon," quoth the knight, "the service of a 
clerk is little profit for thee. He will put thee to 
much pain if thou believe him. I pray thee leave 
him and come and serve me, and I shall give thee 
good thank." 

Orthon was ready to answer for he was in 
amours with the knight, and said, "Wouldst thou 
fain have my service?" 

"Yea, truly," quoth the knight, "so thou do 
no hurt to any person in this house." 

"No more I will do," quoth Orthon, "for I 
have no power to do any other evil but to awake 
thee or some other out of sleep." 

"Well," quoth the knight, "do as I tell thee 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 265 

and we shall soon agree. And leave the evil 
clerk, for there is no good in him but to put thee 
to pain. Therefore come and serve me." 

"Well," quoth Orthon, "and since thou wilt 
have me, we are agreed." 

So this spirit Orthon loved so the knight that 
oftentimes he would come and visit him while he 
lay in his bed asleep, and either pull him by the 
ear, or else strike at his chamber door or window 
to awake him. And when the knight awoke, then 
he would say, ' ' Orthon, let me sleep. ' ' 

"Nay," Orthon would answer, "that will I 
not do, till I have showed thee such tidings as are 
fallen a-late." 

The lady, the knight's wife, would be so afraid 
that her hair would stand up, and she would hide 
herself under the clothes. Then the knight would 
say, "Why, what tidings hast thou brought me?" 

Then Orthon would answer, "I am come out 
of England, or out of Hungary, or some other 
place, and yesterday I came thence, and such 
things are fallen, — or such other." 

So thus the lord of Corasse knew by Orthon 
everything that was done in any part of the world. 
In this case he continued five years. But he 
could not keep his own counsel and at last dis- 
covered it to the earl of Foix, and in this wise. 

The first year the lord of Corasse came on a 
day to Orthez, to the earl of Foix and said to him, 
"Sir, such things are done in England, or in 
Scotland, or in some other country." And ever 
the earl of Foix found his saying true, and had 
great marvel how he should kaow such things so 



266 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

shortly. And on a time the earl of Foix examined 
him so closely that the lord of Corasse showed 
him altogether how he knew and how the spirit 
came to him first. 

When the earl of Foix heard that, he was joy- 
ful, and said, "Sir of Corasse, keep him well in 
yonr love. I would I had such a messenger; he 
costeth you nothing and ye know by him every- 
thing that is done in the world/ ' 

The knight answered and said, "Sir, that is 
true." 

Thus the lord of Corasse was served with 
Orthon a long season. I cannot say if this 
Orthon had any more masters or not, but every 
week twice or thrice he would come and visit the 
lord of Corasse and would show him such tidings 
of anything that was fallen from whence he came. 
And ever the lord of Corasse, when he knew any- 
thing, he wrote thereof ever to the earl of Foix, 
who had great joy thereof, for he was the man 
of all the world that most desired to hear news 
out of strange places. 

And on a time the lord of Corasse was with 
the earl of Foix, and the earl demanded of him 
and said, "Sir of Corasse, did ye ever as yet see 
your messenger ?" 

' ' Nay surely, sir, ' ' quoth the knight, * ' I never 
desired it." 

"That is a marvel," quoth the earl, "if I 
were as well acquainted with him as ye be, I 
would have desire to see him. "Wherefore I pray 
you desire it of him, and then tell me what 
form and fashion he is of. I have heard you say 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 267 

how he speaketh as good Gascon as you or I." 

" Truly, sir," quoth the knight, "so it is. He 
speaketh as well and as fair as any of us do. 
And surely, sir, since ye counsel me, I shall do 
my pain to see him an I can. ' ' 

And so on a night as he lay in his bed — the 
lady, his wife, now so inured to hear Orthon that 
she was no more afraid of him — there came 
Orthon, and pulled the lord, who was fast asleep, 
by the ear; and therewith he awoke and asked 
who was there. 

"I am here," quoth Orthon. 

"From whence comest thou?" demanded the 
knight. 

"I come," quoth Orthon, "from Prague in 
Bohemia." 

"How far is that hence?" quoth the knight. 

"A threescore days' journey," quoth Orthon. 

"And art thou come thence so soon?" quoth 
the knight. 

"Yea, truly," quoth Orthon, "I came as fast 
as the wind, or faster." 

"Hast thou then wings?" quoth the knight. 

"Nay, truly," quoth the spirit. 

"How canst thou then fly so fast?" quoth the 
knight. 

"Ye have nothing to do to know that," quoth 
Orthon. 

"No?" quoth the knight, "I would gladly see 
thee, to know what form thou art of." 

"Well," quoth Orthon, "ye have nothing to 
do to know. It sufficeth you to hear me and I to 
show you tidings." 



268 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

"In faith/' quoth the knight, "I would love 
thee much better an I might see thee once. ' ' 

"Well," quoth Orthon, "sir, since ye have so 
great desire to see me, the first thing ye see 
to-morrow when ye rise out of your bed, the same 
shall be .1." 

"That is sufficient/' quoth the lord, "go thy 
way. I give thee leave to depart for this night.' ' 

The next morning when the lord was to rise 
the lady, his wife, was so afraid that she durst 
not rise, but feigned herself sick and said she 
would not. Her husband would have had her 
rise. 

"Sir," quoth she, "then I shall see Orthon, 
and I would not see him by my good will." 

"Well," quoth the knight, "I would gladly 
see him." And so he arose fair and easily out 
of his bed and sat down on his bedside, weening 
to see Orthon in his own proper form. But he 
saw nothing whereby he might say, "Lo, yonder 
is Orthon." 

So that day passed and the next night came, 
and when the knight was in his bed, Orthon came 
and began to speak as he was accustomed. 

"Go thy way," quoth the knight; "thou art 
but a liar. Thou promised that I should see thee, 
and it was not so." 

"No?" quoth he, "and I showed myself to 
thee." 

"That is not so," quoth the lord. 

"Why," quoth Orthon, "when ye rose out of 
your bed, saw you nothing?" 

Then the lord studied a little and advised him- 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 269 

self well. "Yes, truly,' ' quoth the knight, "now 
I remember me, as I sat on my bed's side think- 
ing on thee, I saw two straws on the pavement 
tumbling one upon another." 

"That same was I," quoth Orthon, "into that 
form I did put myself as then." 

"That is not enough to me," quoth the lord; 
"I pray thee put thyself into some other form, 
that I may better see and know thee." 

"Well," quoth Orthon, "ye will do so much 
that ye will lose me, and I go from you, for ye 
desire too much of me." 

"Nay," quoth the knight, "thou shalt not go 
from me. Let me see thee once and I will desire 
no more." 

"Well," quoth Orthon, "ye shall see me to- 
morrow. Take heed. The first thing that ye see 
after ye be out of your chamber, it shall be I." 

"Well," quoth the knight, "I am then content. 
Go thy way, let me sleep." 

And so Orthon departed, and the next morn- 
ing the lord arose, and issued out of his chamber, 
and went to a window, and looked down into the 
court of the castle, and cast about his eyes. And 
the first thing he saw was a sow, the greatest that 
ever he saw, and she seemed to be so lean and 
evil favored that there was nothing of her but the 
skin and the bones, with long ears, and a long, 
lean snout. 

The lord of Corasse had marvel of that lean 
sow and was weary of the sight of her, and com- 
manded his men to fetch his hounds, and said, 
"Let the dogs hunt her to death and devour her." 



270 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

His men opened the kennels and let out his 
hounds, and did set them on this sow. And at 
last the sow made a great cry and looked up to 
the lord of Corasse, as he looked out of the win- 
dow, and so suddenly vanished away, no man 
wist how. 

Then the lord of Corasse entered into his 
chamber right pensive, and he remembered him 
of Orthon, his messenger, and said, "I repent me 
that I set my hounds on him. Perchance I may 
never hear more of him, for he said to me often- 
times that if I displeased him I should lose him." 

The lord said truth, for never after came 
Orthon to the castle of Corasse. The knight died 
the year next following. 

"Lo, sir," quoth the squire, finishing his tale 
in the corner of the chapel, "thus have I showed 
you the life of Orthon, and how for a season he 
served the lord of Corasse with new tidings." 

"It is true, sir," quoth I, "but now as to your 
first purpose, — is the earl of Foix served with 
such a messenger?" 

"Surely," quoth the squire, "it is the imagina- 
tion of many that he hath such messengers. For 
there is nothing done in any place, but an he set 
his mind thereto, he will know it, and when men 
think least thereof. Some say the knowledge of 
such things hath done him much profit, for an 
there be but the value of a spoon lost in his house, 
anon he will know where it is." 

Then I took leave of the squire, and went to 
other company, but I bore well away this tale. 



The Sudden Death of the 
Earl of Foix 

TEULY of all sports this noble and gentle 
earl of Foix loved hunting with hounds 
and greyhounds, and of these he was well 
provided, for always he had at his command more 
than sixteen hundred. 

One season he was at Beam in the marches of 
Orthez and daily he went hunting in the woods 
of Sauveterre. The same day that he died he had 
hunted and killed a bear, and by that time it was 
high noon. Then the earl demanded of them that 
were about him where his dinner was provided, 
and it was told him at the hospital, two little 
miles from Orthez. So thither he rode to dinner 
and alighted there and went into his chamber, the 
which was strewed with green herbs and the walls 
set full of green boughs to make the chamber more 
fresh, for the air without was marvelously hot. 

When the earl felt the fresh air he said, "Ah, 
this freshness doth me much good for the day 
hath been very hot," and so sat down in a chair. 
Then he talked and advised with sir Espang of 
Lyon which of his hounds had run the best, and 
as he thus considered there came into the cham- 
ber Yvain, his bastard son, and sir Peter of 
Cabestan. And the tables were ready covered in 
the same chamber. 

Then water was brought to wash, and John of 

271 



272 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

Spain took a silver basin and sir Tybault took 
the towel. 

Then the earl rose and put out his hands to 
wash, and as soon as the cold water fell on his 
fingers he waxed pale in the face, and suddenly 
his heart failed him, and so he fell down, and in 
the falling said, "Ah, I am but dead: God have 
mercy on me. ' ' He never spoke word after ; how- 
beit he died not so soon, but lay in great pain. 

The knights that were about him were sore 
abashed, and so was his son. They took him in 
their arms and laid him on a bed and covered 
him, trusting that he was but in a trance. The 
two knights that had given him water, to the 
intent that it should not be said that they had 
poisoned him, took the basin and ewer and said, 
"Sirs, here in your presence behold here this 
water, the which we took assay of, yet will do"; 
and they drank thereof so that every man was 
content with them. 

They put into the earl's mouth drink and 
spices and other things comfortable, but all that 
availed nothing for in less than half an hour he 
yielded up his breath sweetly and was dead. All 
such as were there were greatly troubled and 
abashed, and they closed the chamber door to the 
intent that his death should not be so suddenly 
known abroad. 

The knights beheld sir Yvain, his son, who 
wept piteously and wrung his hands, and they 
that were with him said, "Sir Yvain, you have 
now lost your father. "We know well he loved 
you entirely. Leave your sorrow and leap on 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 273 

your horse and ride to Orthez. Take possession 
of the castle, and of your father's treasure that 
is within it before ever the death of your father 
is known abroad." 

Sir Yvain inclined to those words and said, 
"Sirs, I thank you for your good counsel, the 
which I shall deserve. But now let me have some 
token that is on my father, or else I shall not be 
suffered to enter the castle." 

"That is true, sir," quoth they, "take some 
token from your father." 

Then he took a ring from his father's finger, 
and a knife that he bore always about him. These 
tokens the porter of the castle knew well. If 
Yvain had not brought them, he could not have 
entered in. 

Thus sir Yvain of Foix departed from the 
hospital with three with him and rode in haste to 
the castle of Orthez. He rode through the town, 
no man mistrusting him, and so came to the castle 
and called the porter who answered and said, 
"Sir, what would you have? Where is my lord, 
your father?" 

"He is at the hospital," quoth the knight, 
"and hath sent me for certain things that are in 
his chamber, and then I must return again to him. 
And to the intent that thou shouldst believe me, 
behold here his ring and knife." 

The porter opened a window and saw the 
tokens which he knew well. Then he opened a 
wicket and Yvain entered ; and his varlets set up 
his horses. 

As soon as he was entered Yvain said to the 

18 



274 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

porter, " Close again the gate." Then he took 
the porter and said, "Deliver me the keys or else 
thou art but dead." 

The porter was abashed and said, "Sir, why 
say ye thus ! ' ' 

"Because," quoth Yvain, "my father is dead, 
and I will have possession of his treasure before 
any other come here." 

The porter obeyed for he durst do none other- 
wise, and he loved sir Yvain as well as another. 

The knight knew right well where the treasure 
lay. It was in a strong tower whereto belonged 
three strong doors surely bolted and barred, and 
divers keys pertained to them, which keys he 
could not readily find for they were in a coffer of 
steel and locked with a little key of steel. 

This little key of steel the earl ever bore about 
him wherever he went, in a purse about his neck, 
and after sir Yvain departed from the hospital it 
was found by the knights that were about the 
dead body. They marveled what key it should be 
that the earl bore so privily about him. 

Then the earl's chaplain, who knew all the 
earl's secrets (for the earl loved him and ever 
when he went into his treasure house had his 
chaplain with him), when he saw the key he said, 
"Ah, sir Yvain hath but lost his pains for this is 
the key of a little coffer wherein are all the keys 
of the tower where the earl's treasure lieth." 

Then the knights said to the chaplain, "Sir 
Nicholas, go and ride you to Orthez and bear him 
the key." 

"Sirs," said the chaplain, "since you give me 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 275 

the counsel I shall do it, for it were better he had 
his father's treasure than another; and I know 
well his father loved him entirely." Then he 
took his horse, and took the key, and rode to the 
castle of Orthez. 

And all that season sir Yvain was searching 
all about for the keys and could not find them. 
He wist not how to get the door open it was so 
strong; nor had he instruments to break it open 
withal. 

And in this mean time the men of the town 
had knowledge by varlets or women that came 
from the hospital, how the earl was dead. These 
were hard tidings to them, for the earl was well- 
beloved with all his people. They of the town 
assembled together in the market-place, and said 
one to another — such as had seen sir Yvain pass 
through the town alone, — "We have seen sir 
Yvain pass through the town alone towards the 
castle, and it seemed by his countenance he was 
not content. Surely there is something amiss, 
for he was not wont to come home before his 
father. ' ' 

Thus as they were communing together, there 
came into the town the earl's chaplain. Then the 
men of the town came about him, and demanded 
news of the earl, their lord. "It hath been 
showed us that he is dead. Is it so or not?" 

"Nay," quoth the priest, "he is not dead, but 
he is sore sick, and I am come home before to 
cause things to be dressed for him, and then I 
must return again to him," and so saying he 
passed forth to the castle and entered. 



276 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

At his coming sir Yvain had great joy, for 
without the key that he brought he could not enter 
into the tower where the treasure was. 

Then the men of the town had great suspect 
of the earl's death, and said, " Night is near at 
hand and as yet we hear nothing of our lord and 
his officers, and sir Yvain and his chaplain are 
entered into the castle suspiciously. Let us watch 
the castle this night and to-morrow we shall hear 
other tidings. Let us send secretly to the hos- 
pital, then shall we know how the matter goeth. 
We know well the most part of the earl's treasure 
is within the castle, and if it is stolen away by 
craft we shall be blamed for it. Ignorance shall 
not excuse us." 

Then the men of the town drew about the 
castle and kept the gates of the town surely, that 
none should enter or issue without license. Thus 
they watched all night, and in the morning they 
had perfect knowledge of the death of their lord. 
Then every man, woman and child cried out and 
wept piteously, for the earl was well beloved. 
And the watchmen doubled and increased about 
the castle. 

When sir Yvain saw the manner of the men 
of the town, and saw well how he was perceived, 
and that they knew the certainty of the death of 
his father, he went into a tower near to the gate, 
and opened a window over the bridge, and spoke 
to them that were the principals of the town, who 
came on the bridge near to the window to hear 
what he would say. Then he spake aloud and 
said, "Oh, ye good people of Orthez, I know well 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 277 

the cause of your assembly. It is not without 
a great occasion. Howbeit I require you, as 
dearly as you loved my lord and father, that you 
be not displeased with me though I have advanced 
myself to enter into this castle before any other 
should enter, and to take possession thereof and 
of such goods as be within it, for I will do nothing 
but good. You know well that my lord my father 
loved me well, and would fain have found the way 
to have me his inheritor. But now it hath pleased 
God to call him to his mercy without accomplish- 
ing anything of mine advancement, and now he 
hath left me among you where I have been 
brought up, and am now a poor knight without 
I have your aid and help. Wherefore, sirs, I 
require you in God's behalf to have pity on me, 
wherein ye shall do great alms. And I shall open 
the castle and suffer you to enter. I will not 
keep it against you." 

Then they answered and said, i ' Sir Yvain, you 
have spoken so nobly that it ought to suffice. 
And, sir, we say that we will abide with you, and 
our intent is to keep this castle and goods with 
you. And if the viscount of Chatel-bon, your 
cousin, come hither as next to your father to chal- 
lenge his heritage and movables, ere he have it he 
shall know how we shall defend you and your 
right." 

With this answer sir Yvain was well content 
and he opened the gate of the castle of Orthez 
and such entered as would. And the same day 
the earl's body was brought thither. 

At their meeting with the corpse, men and 



278 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

women wept piteously in the remembrance of 
his nobleness and puissant estate, his wit and 
prudence, his prowess and largess, and the great 
prosperity that he lived in ; for there was neither 
French nor English that durst displease him. 
Most part of the people said, "Now our neigh- 
bors will make us war, where we were wont to 
live in peace and freedom. Now shall we be in 
bondage, in misery and subjection. Now there 
is none to aid us. Ah, Gaston, Gaston, why did 
you ever so displease your father that it cost you 
your life? If you had been left with us, it should 
now have been to us a great comfort. ' ' 

With such lamentations and weepings the 
body of this noble earl was borne through the 
town of Orthez by eight noble knights, and behind 
was sir Yvain, his bastard son, and more than 
threescore other knights. 

Thus was the body carried with open visage 
to the church in Orthez, and there embalmed and 
laid in lead, and so left under good keeping unto 
the day of interment. And night and day with- 
out cease there were burning about the body four 
and twenty torches borne by eight and forty 
yeomen, four and twenty in the night, and four 
and twenty in the day. 

The day of the obsequy of the gentle earl, 
Gaston of Foix, last earl of that name, was on a 
Monday in the town of Orthez, in the year of our 
Lord one thousand, three hundred, fourscore and 
eleven. There were many people from the coun- 
try present, both lords and knights and prelates. 
The interment was honorably done according to 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 279 

the usage of the country, and the body buried 
before the high altar. 

And a counsel was called at Orthez to advise 
whether the county of Foix should belong to the 
French king or to the viscount of Chatel-bon, and 
the counsel took advice together with ambassa- 
dors from the king. Thus all things were con- 
cluded, and the viscount of Chatel-bon was earl 
of Foix, in like manner as the old earl, and all 
such as ought so to do made homage to him. 
And he gave large gifts to sir Yvain, who was 
well content. 



The Dance of Wild Men at the 

French Court: and of Yvain 

of Foix 

Sir Tvain of Foix, of whom we have read in the sad story of 
the earl's son, and in accounts of the earl himself, was retained 
at the French court and became a knight of the chamber of the 
king. Charles VI was then the young monarch. It was a gay 
court. The melancholy ending of one adventure is here related. 
It fortuned, says Froissart, that some time after the retaining 
of the knight Yvain, that is, in the year a thousand three hundred 
fourscore and twelve, the Tuesday before the feast of Candlemas — 

THE DANCE OP WILD MEN 

A MARRIAGE was made in the king's house 
between a young knight of Vermandois 
and one of the queen's gentlewomen. And 
because they were both of the king's house, the 
king and his uncles and other lords made a great 
joy and supper, and the queen with her ladies 
and damosels kept estate and desired every man 
to be merry. 

And there was a squire of Normandy, called 
Hugoin of Guisay, who advised to make some 
pastime. Wherefore he provided for a mummery 
against night, and he devised six coats of linen 
cloth covered with pitch and thereon flax laid like 
hair, and had them ready in a chamber. 

The king put on one of them, and the earl of 
Joigny, a young, lusty knight another, and sir 
Charles of Poitiers the third, and sir Yvain of 
Foix another, and the son of the lord of Nan- 
touillet had on the fifth, and the squire himself 

280 




s s » 

£ p ^ 



■H. P 



S ^ 



a= «h 2 -a 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 281 

had on the sixth. And when they were well 
arrayed in these said coats, and sewed fast in 
them, they seemed like wild men, full of hair 
from the top of the head to the sole of the foot. 

This device pleased well the French king who 
was well content with the squire for it. They 
were appareled in these coats secretly in a cham- 
ber, and no man knew of the device but such as 
helped them. 

When Yvain of Foix had well considered these 
coats he said to the king, ' ' Sir, command straight- 
way that no man approach near us with any 
torches or fire. For if the fire fasten in any of 
these coats, we shall all be burnt without remedy." 

The king answered and said, " Yvain, ye speak 
well and wisely; it shall be done as ye have 
devised/ ' and at once sent for an usher of his 
chamber, commanding him to go into the chamber 
where the ladies danced and to command all the 
varlets holding torches to stand up by the walls, 
and none of them to approach the wild men who 
should come thither to dance. The usher did the 
king's command, which was fulfilled. 

Soon after the duke of Orleans entered into 
the hall accompanied with four knights and six 
torches, and he knew nothing of the king's com- 
mandment for the torches, nor of the mummery 
that was coming thither. He thought to behold 
the dancing, and began himself to dance. 

Therewith the king with the five others came 
in. They were so disguised in flax that no man 
knew them. Five of them were fastened one to 



282 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

another. The king was loose and went before 
and led the device. 

When they entered into the hall, every man 
took so great heed of them that they forgot the 
torches. The king departed from his company 
and went to the ladies to sport with them. So he 
passed by the qneen and came to his aunt, the 
duchess of Berry, who took and held him by the 
arm to know what he was. But the king would 
not show his name. Then the duchess said, "Ye 
shall not escape me till I know your name." 

In the meantime great mischief fell on the 
other wild men, and by reason of the duke of 
Orleans. Howbeit, it was by ignorance and 
against his will, for if he had known before the 
mischief that fell, he would not have done as he 
did for all the goods in the world. But he was 
so desirous to know what personages the five 
were who danced that he put one of the torches 
his servants held so near that the heat of the fire 
entered the flax (wherein if fire take there is no 
remedy). Suddenly there was a bright flame, and 
each of the wild men set fire on the other. 

The pitch was so fastened to the linen cloth, 
and the shirts of the men so dry and fine and so 
close to their flesh that they began to burn and 
to cry for help. None durst come near them; 
they that did burnt their hands with the blazing 
pitch. 

One of them, Nantouillet, remembered how the 
buttery was near by, and he fled thither and cast 
himself into a vessel full of water wherein they 
washed plates and pots. This saved him, other- 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 283 

wise he had been dead as the others were. Yet 
he was sore hurt with the fire. 

When the queen heard the cry that they made, 
she feared for the king, for she knew well that he 
should be one of the six. Therewith she fell in a 
swoon, and knights and ladies came and com- 
forted her. A piteous noise there was in the hall. 

The duchess of Berry delivered the king from 
peril for she cast over him the train of her gown 
and covered him from the fire. The king would 
have gone from her. "Whither will ye go?" 
quoth she. "Ye see well how your company 
burns. What are ye!" 

"I am the king," quoth he. 

"Haste you," quoth she, "and get you into 
other apparel that the queen may see you, for she 
is in great fear lest you be hurt." 

Therewith the king departed out of the hall 
and in all haste changed his apparel and came to 
the queen. The duchess of Berry had somewhat 
comforted her and had showed her how she should 
see the king shortly. Therewith the king came to 
the queen, and as soon as she saw him for joy she 
embraced him and fell into a swoon. 

Yvain of Foix when he was all on fire cried 
ever with a loud voice, "Save the king, save the 
king!" Thus was the king saved. It was happy 
for him that he went from the company of the 
other five wild men, for otherwise he would have 
died without remedy. 

This great mischief fell about midnight in the 
hall of Saint-Pol in Paris. There were two burnt 
to death in the place, and the other two, Yvain of 



284 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

Foix and the earl of Joigny, were borne to their 
lodgings and died within two days after in great 
pain and misery. 

Thus the feast of this marriage broke np in 
heaviness. Howbeit, there was no remedy. The 
fault was only in the duke of Orleans ; and yet he 
thought no evil when he put down his torch. The 
duke said, * ' Sirs, let every man know there is no 
man to blame only myself. I am sorry therefor. 
If I had thought as much before, it should not 
have happened." 

Then the duke went to the king to excuse him- 
self, and the king took his excuse. The dukes of 
Burgoyne and Berry were not there present at 
that season; they had taken their leave of the 
king and were gone to their lodgings. 

The next day the news spread abroad in the 
city, and every man had marvel thereof. And 
some said how God had sent that token for an 
example, and that it was wisdom for the king to 
regard it and to withdraw himself from such 
young, idle wantonness, which he had used over- 
much. 

The commons of the city of Paris murmured 
and said : ' ' Behold the great mishap and mischief 
that was likely to have fallen on the king. He 
might have been burnt as the others were. What 
should have fallen then of the king's uncles and 
of his brother? They might none of them have 
escaped death. Yea, and all the knights that 
might have been found in Paris." 

As soon as the king's uncles, the dukes of 
Berry and of Burgoyne, heard of the adventure, 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 285 

they were dismayed and marveled greatly. They 
leaped on their horses and rode to the king, and 
comforted and counseled him — which was neces- 
sary for he was sore troubled, and the peril he 
had been in was still in his imagination. He 
showed his uncles how his aunt of Berry had 
saved him, and said he was very sorry for the 
deaths of the knights. 

His uncles recomforted him and said, "Sir, 
that that is lost cannot be recovered. Ye must 
forget the death of them, and thank God for the 
fair adventure that is fallen to your own person; 
for all the realm of France by this incident might 
have been in great danger of losing; for ye may 
think well that these people of Paris will never 
be still; for God knoweth that if the misfortune 
had fallen on you, they would have slain us all. 
Therefore, sir, apparel you in royal estate, and 
leap on your horse and ride to Notre Dame in 
pilgrimage, and we shall accompany you, and 
show yourself to the people, for they desire sore 
to see you." 

The king said he would do so. Then the king's 
uncles took apart the duke of Orleans and in 
courteous manner somewhat blamed him of his 
young deed that he had done. He answered and 
said how he thought to have done no evil. 

Then anon after the king and his company 
leapt on their horses and rode through the city to 
appease the people, and came to the church and 
heard service, and then returned again to the 
house of Saint-Pol. 

The obsequies were done for the dead bodies. 



286 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

But all lords and ladies through the realm of 
France and elsewhere that heard of this chance 
had great marvel thereof. And of the fortune 
great bruit spread abroad in the realm of France 
and other countries. Then little by little the mat- 
ter was forgotten. 

Ah, earl Gaston of Foix, if this had fortuned 
in thy life days, thou shouldest have had great 
displeasure, and it had been hard to appease thee, 
for thou didst love sir Yvain entirely. 



The Story of the People's March 
to London and of Wat Tyler 

This story of the English people's rise against excessive tax- 
ation in June, 1381, is by a chronicler whose sympathies were 
with the governing powers. If you will turn back to the intro- 
ductory note on page 157, you will see that Froissart ' ' reports 
none beneath the rank of gentleman. ' ' The chronicler had long 
been living at courts and had the notion that men and women 
with the trappings of rank and with money were of chiefest value. 
Our modern, democratic sense of the worth of a human being 
without regard to his money, his social grade, his dress, did not 
have very general acceptance in Froissart 's day. So it is you 
will see the chronicler expressing little fellow feeling with the 
oppressed people who made the famous march. 

In reading this story the following facts should be kept in 
mind. In 1349, and the years immediately following, a great 
plague called the Black Death raged in England. At that time 
laborers were of two sorts, first, villeins, those who held land on 
conditions of service either to the land or the person of the lord, 
and, second, freemen. The Black Death cut off so large a per- 
centage of the inhabitants that laborers were scarce. Parlia- 
ment tried by various acts to keep wages at old rates, and finally 
in 1380 levied a graduated poll tax, that is a tax upon the poll 
or head of each person and graded to his income. Parliament 
also resolved to punish those who evaded the tax. 

In March, 1381, the government instituted a writ of inquiry 
in which it threatened confiscation. This instrument was doubt- 
less the immediate cause of the revolt here detailed. The tax 
was three times as heavy as that of 1377, and levied with little 
regard to the poor. The money from it was to allow the English 
government to continue its war with France. Discontent filled 
the minds of the people and want pinched their bodies. 

As the following story will show, the great revolt was not 
an uprising of one class, the villeins, alone. Many classes joined 
in the protest. 

At this time, also, disciples of Wycliffe were preaching and 
teaching not only a religious cleansing, but also a social revolu- 
tion. The story will in the following pages show an instance in 
the preacher, John Ball. 

It is interesting to bear in mind that in Russia to-day con- 
ditions not unsimilar to those here described have been prevail- 

287 



288 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

ing — an uprising, a revolt without a leader of the prestige to 
control vast and undisciplined masses, an enormous output of 
strength, a beastly excess along the lines of the oppressors' 
excesses, and the hand of the multitude about to grasp victory. 
Then the sudden renewal within the government of the old power, 
a reawakening of the autocratic instinct, the old consciousness 
of domination of lord over people of the soil, and afterwards 
a blow that sends the head of the united people rolling, and 
leaves the body a broken, riddled, scarred, unorganized mass. 

THE PEOPLE'S MARCH TO LONDON 

ABOUT the years 1380 and 1381, there fell 
in England great mischief and rebellion of 
the common people, by which deed England 
was at a point to have been lost without recovery. 
There was never realm or country in so great 
adventure as England was at that time, and all 
because of the ease and riches the common people 
were of,* which moved them to this rebellion. I 
will speak thereof as I was informed. 

There was a usage in England, and yet is in 
divers countries, that the noblemen have great 
franchise over the commons and keep them in 
servage. That is to say their tenants ought by 
custom to work the lords' lands, to gather and 
bring home their corn, and some to thresh and 
fan, and to make the lords' hay and hew their 
wood and bring it to the lords' house. All these 
things they ought to do by servage ; and there are 
more of such serving people in England than in 
any other realm. The noblemen and prelates are 
served by them — especially in the counties of 
Kent, Essex, Sussex and Bedford. 

These unhappy people of the said counties 
began to stir because they said they were kept in 

* Human nature is not affected to rebellion by ease and riches. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 289 

great servage. In the beginning of the world, 
they said, there were no bondmen. Wherefore 
they maintained that none ought to be bond with- 
out he did treason to his lord, as Lucifer did to 
God. They said they were men, formed to the 
similitude of their lords, and why then should they 
be kept so under like beasts? The which, they 
said, they would no longer suffer, for they would 
be all one, and if they labored or did anything for 
their lords, they would have wages therefor as 
well as others. 

Of such imaginations as these was a foolish 
priest in the county of Kent called John Ball, and 
three times he had been in bishop of Canterbury's 
prison for his foolish words. For this priest 
used oftentimes on the Sundays after service, 
when the people were going out of the minster, 
to go into the cloister, and preach, and make the 
people assemble about him, and would say thus: 

"Ah, ye good people, matters go not well in 
England, and shall not till everything be com- 
mon, and there be no villeins nor gentlemen, till 
we all be united together and the lords are no 
greater masters than we. What have we de- 
served, or why should we be kept thus in servage? 
We are all come from one father and one mother, 
Adam and Eve. Whereby can they say or show 
that they are greater lords than we are, save that 
they cause us to win and labor for that they 
spend? They are clothed in velvet, camlet* and 
furs, and we in poor cloth. They have their 
wines, spices and good bread, and we have rye, 

* A cloth made of camel's hair. 
19 



290 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

bran and straw, and drink water. They dwell in 
fair houses, and we have the pain and travail, 
wind and rain in the fields. By that which cometh 
of our labors they keep and maintain their es- 
tates. We are called their bondmen, and without 
we readily do them service we are beaten. We 
have no sovereign to whom we may complain, 
nor that will hear us or do us right. Let us go 
to the young king and show him what servage we 
are in, and how we will have it otherwise, or else 
we will provide ourselves some remedy. If we go 
together, all manner of people now in any bond- 
age will follow us with the intent of being made 
free. And when the kings seeth us, we shall have 
some remedy either by fairness or otherwise."* 

Thus John Ball said on Sundays when the 
people issued out of the churches in the villages. 
Therefore many of the people loved him, and such 
as intended no goodness said how he said truth. 
So they murmured one with another in the fields 
and in the ways as they went together, affirming 
how John Ball said truth. 

The archbishop of Canterbury, when informed 
of these preachings, caused this John Ball to be 
taken and put in prison two or three months to 
chastise him. It had been much better at the 
beginning if he had been condemned to perpetual 
prison, or else had died, rather than been suffered 
again to be delivered out of prison. But the 
bishop had consciencef to let him die. And when 

* This determination to try to get their rights by appeal to fairness 
and justice, and if that fails, to fight, is not far from methods employed 
by nations to-day. 

t Ball had been excommunicated, and at this time the sentence was 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 291 

John Ball was out of prison lie returned again to 
his error, as he had before. 

Of his words and deeds there were much peo- 
ple in London informed, — such people as had 
envy* of those that were rich and noble — and they 
began to speak among themselves and said how 
the realm of England was right evil governed, 
and how gold and silver was taken from them by 
those who were named noblemen. So thus these 
unhappy men of London began to rebel and as- 
semble together, and sent word to the aforesaid 
counties that the people should come to London, 
which would be open to receive them, and — the 
commons of the city being of the same accord — 
they would do so much to the king that there 
should not be one bondman in all England. 

This promise so moved them of Kent, of 
Essex, of Sussex, of Bedford and of the counties 
about, that they rose and came towards London 
to the number of sixty thousand. And they had 
a captain called Walter Tyler,* and with him in 

still in force. One account says that he was in prison and, when com- 
mitted, had declired he would be liberated by 20,000 people. The 
prophecy was fulfilled, for the insurgents delivered him soon after they 
had got together. 

* To this day this reason of "envy of the rich" is sometimes given 
when sufferers from penury rebel. 

f The following tale from Holinshed helps us to see what sort of man 
Wat Tyler was: 

In 1381, Richard II, king of England, being little more than a 
child in years, parliament affected a new and strange subsidy: to wit, 
of every man and woman married or not married, being sixteen years of 
age (beggars certainly known only excepted), four pence for every one. 
For priests and nuns it was more. 

Now when these poll pence were to be collected, there arose no small 
murmuring and repining among the common people about the same, and 
the more indeed on account of the demeanor of some indiscreet officers 
that were assigned to gather the money. For one of these men came to 
the house of one, Wat Tyler, who had both servants in his house and a 
fair young maid, his daughter. And when the officer demanded money 
for the said Tyler and for his wife, his servants and his daughter, the 
wife being at home, and her husband abroad at work in the town, made 



292 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

company was Jack Straw and John Ball. These 
three were chief captains, but the head of all was 
Walter Tyler, a tiler of houses, an ungracious 
patron. 

The Monday before the feast of Corpus 
Christi,* the year of our Lord a thousand, three 
hundred and eighty-one, these people (of Kent) 
issued out of their houses to come to London to 
speak with the king to be made free, for they 
would have no bondman in England. 

First they came to Canterbury and there John 
Ball had thought to find the bishop of Canterbury, 
but he was at London with the king. When they 
entered Canterbury all the common people made 
great feast, for all the town was of their assent. 
And there they took counsel to go to London to 
the king, and to send some of their company over 
the Thames into Essex, into Sussex and into the 
counties of Stafford and Bedford to speak to the 

answer that her daughter was not of age and therefore she would not 
pay for her. 

The officer, not satisfied with the mother's excuse, reached his hands 
toward the daughter and familiarly touched her. 

The mother straightway made an outcry so that her husband, hearing 
of this ado at his house, came running from his work with his lathing 
staff in his hand, and began to question the officer, asking who made him 
so bold to keep such a rule in his house. The officer being somewhat 
presumptuous, as we have seen, forthwith flew against Tyler; but he, 
avoiding the blow, brought such a rap on the officer's pate that his 
brains broke out ; and so presently he died. 

Great noise rose in the streets about this matter, and the poor folks, 
being glad that one man rose in their defense, every one arrayed himself 
to support Wat Tyler. 

Now not only for the poll tax demanded of them were the commons 
of the English realm sore repining, as you have heard, but also by 
reason that they were oppressed by their landlords, who demanded of 
them ancient customs and services. Wherefore they, purposing to enforce 
the king to make them free and release them of all servitude _ wherein 
they stood as bondsmen to their landlords and rulers, had risen in divers 
parts of the realm and assembled together in companies. 

These companies drawing together, went to Blackheath. where their 
number soon increased. And the said Wat Tyler took upon him to be 
their chief captain. 

* The Thursday following the eighth Sunday after Easter. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 293 

people, that they should all come to the farther 
side of London and close London round about, so 
the king should not stop their passage, and that 
they should all meet together on Corpus Christi 
day. 

They that were at Canterbury entered into 
saint Thomas' church and robbed and broke up 
the bishop's chamber, and did much hurt. And 
in bearing out their pillage they said, "Ah, this 
chancellor of England* hath had a good market 
to get together all these riches. He shall now give 
us account of the revenues of England and the 
great profits he hath gathered since the king's 
coronation." 

When they had thus broken they departed in 
the morning and all the people of Canterbury 
with them, and so took the way to Rochester and 
sent their people to the villages about. And in 
their going they beat drums and robbed houses 
of advocates and procurers of the king's court 
and of the archbishop, and had mercy on none. 

And when they were come to Rochester, they 
had there good cheer ; for the people of that town 
tarried for them, for they were of the same sect. 
And then they went to the castle there and took 
the knight that had the rule thereof — he was called 
sir John Newton — and they said to him: "Sir, it 
behooveth you to go with us, and you shall be our 
sovereign captain and to do that we will have 
you."f 

* Simon of Sudbury was archbishop of Canterbury as well as chan- 
cellor. He was especially hated as the framer of the poll tax. 

t Their feeling that they were yokels led them to want a courtier 
who could come to the royal presence and present their requests in 
conventional fashion. 



294 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

The knight excused himself honestly and 
showed them divers considerations and excuses. 
But all availed him nothing for they said unto 
him: "Sir John, if ye do not do as we will have 
you, ye are but dead." 

The knight seeing these people in that fury 
and ready to slay him, he agreed to them, and so 
they took him with them against his inward will. 
In like wise did they of other counties in England, 
as Essex, Sussex, Stafford, Bedford and War- 
wick, even to Lincoln. For they brought the 
knights and gentlemen to such obeisance that they 
caused them to go with them, whether they would 
or not, as the lord Moylays, a great baron, sir 
Stephen of Hales and sir Thomas of Cosington 
and others. 

When these people thus lodged at Kochester, 
they departed, always keeping still their opinions, 
beating down before them the houses of advo- 
cates and procurers, and striking off the heads* 
of divers persons. So long they went forward 
till they came within four miles of London, and 
there they lodged upon a hill called Blackheath. 
And as they went they said ever that they 
were the king's men and the noble commons of 
England.f 

When they of London knew that they were 
come so near to them, the mayor and the rich men 
of the city took counsel together, and closed the 
gates of the city and suffered no man to enter. 
But when they had well considered they deter- 

* The terrible readiness to strike off heads belonged to kings and 
commons alike in those days. 

t That is, their loyalty was hearty and not to be questioned. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 295 

mined not so to do, for they thought they should 
thereby put their suburbs in great peril of burn- 
ing; so they opened again the city and there 
entered in at the gates in some places a hundred 
or two hundred by twenty and thirty, and lodged. 
And yet of truth three fourths of these people 
could not tell what to ask or demand,* but fol- 
lowed one another like beasts, as certain crusaders 
did in old time, saying how they would go conquer 
the Holy Land, and at last all came to nothing. 

These people being thus lodged on Blackheath 
determined to send their knight, sir John Newton, 
to speak with the king and to show him how all 
that they had done or would do was for him and 
his honor, and how the realm of England had not 
been well governed a great space, for the honor 
of the realm nor for the common profit, by his 
uncles and by the clergy, and especially by the 
archbishop of Canterbury, his chancellor, from 
whom they would have account. This knight 
durst do none otherwise, but came by the river 
of Thames to the Tower. The king and they that 
were with him in the Tower, desiring to hear 
tidings, made way for this knight, and he was 
brought before the king in a chamber. With the 
king were the princess his mother, his two breth- 
ren, the archbishop of Canterbury, the mayor of 
London, and divers other notable men. 

This knight, sir John Newton, who was well 
known among them for he was one of the king's 
officers, kneeled down before the king and said, 

* Further on it will be evident that they knew pretty well, even if 
they felt too unlearned to express their wants. 



296 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

"My right redoubted lord, let it not displease 
your grace the message that I must needs show 
you, for, dear sir, it is by force and against my 
will." 

"Sir John," said the king,* "say what you 
will ; I hold you excused. ' } 

"Sir, the commons of this your realm have 
sent me to you to desire you to come and speak 
with them on Blackheath. They desire to have 
none but you. And, sir, ye need not have any 
doubt of your person. They will do you no hurt, 
for they hold and will hold you for their king. 
But, sir, they say they will show you divers things 
when they speak with you the which shall be right 
necessary for you to take heed of,f — which things, 
sir, I have no charge to show you. May it please 
you to give me an answer such as may appease 
them, that they may know for truth that I have 
spoken with you. For they have my children in 
hostage till I return again to them, and without I 
return again they will slay my children." 

The king answered him and said, "Sir, you 
shall have an answer shortly." 

Then the king took counsel what was best for 
him to do, and it was anon determined that the 
next morning the king should go down the river 
by water, and without fail speak with them. And 
when sir John Newton heard that answer he 

* At this time Richard II was hut fifteen years old, having heen horn 
in 1366. He had succeeded to the throne of his grandfather, Edward 
III, four years before these events. Now and for some years after he was 
in a state of tutelage. His presence of mind, courage and energy during 
the course of this story are remarkable. In after life his character 
changed, as we shall see in the story "How Richard II resigned the 
English throne," 

t Note the loyalty and effort for justice of these Just two sentences. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 297 

desired nothing else and so took his leave of the 
king and of the lords and returned to his vessel, 
and crossed the Thames, and went to Blackheath 
where he had left more than threescore thousand 
men. And there he answered them that the next 
morning they should send some of their council to 
the Thames, and there the king would come and 
speak with them. This answer greatly pleased 
them, and they passed the night as well as they 
might. Four fifths of them fasted for lack of 
victual, for they had none — wherewith, with good 
reason, they were sore displeased. 

In the morning, on Corpus Christi day, king 
Eichard heard church services in the Tower of 
London — he and all his lords — and then he took 
his barge with the earl of Salisbury, the earl of 
Warwick, the earl of Oxford, and certain knights, 
and so rowed down the Thames to Rotherhithe. 
There ten thousand men descended down the hill 
to see the king and speak with him. 

When they saw the king's barge coming they 
began to shout,* and made such a cry as though 
all the devils of hell had been among them. And 
they had brought with them sir John Newton to 
the intent that, if the king had not come, they 
would have stricken him to pieces as they had 
promised him. 

When the king and his lords saw the demeanor 
of the people, the best assured of them were in 
dread. And the king was counseled by his 
barons not to take any landing there, and so 
rowed up and down the river. He demanded of 

* Such was their joy. 



298 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

them what they would, and said how he had come 
thither to speak with them. 

They all answered with one voice, "We would 
that you should come aland, and then we will 
show you what we lack. ' ' 

Then the earl of Salisbury answered for the 
king, ' ' Sirs, ye be not in such order or array that 
the king ought to speak with you."* And so with 
those words and no more said, the king was coun- 
seled to return again to the Tower of London. 
And so he did.f 

When these people saw this they were inflamed 
with ire and returned to the hill where the great 
band was. And there they showed them what 
answer they had, and how the king was returned 
to the Tower of London. Then they cried all 
with one voice, "Let us go to London," and so 
they took their way thither.! 

In their going they beat down abbeys, and 
houses of advocates and of men of the court, and 
so came into the suburbs of London which were 
great and fair, and there they beat down divers 
fair houses, and especially they broke up the 
king's prisons, the Marshalsea and others, and 
delivered out all the prisoners that were within. 
And at the bridge's foot they threatened them of 
London because the gates of the bridge were 

* Order and array from a weary, hungry army seeking justice! Noth- 
ing was said about their seeing the king again. 

t His advisers caused the king to break his pledge of the day before. 
How such tergiversation set upon the empty stomachs of the four fifths 
who had gone "without victuals" is told as the story goes on. 

% Holinshed says that at Blackheath Ball preached to the multitude 
the text, 

"When Adam delved, and Eve span, 
Who was then a gentleman ?" 
in which sermon he excited the multitude to kill the lords and all others 
destructive of the common weal. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 299 

closed, saying they would burn all the suburbs 
and conquer London by force. 

Now there were within the city more than 
thirty thousand of their unhappy opinions, and 
they drew together and said, "Why do we not let 
these good people enter the city? They are our 
fellows and that that they do is for us." So 
therewith the gates were opened, and these people 
entered the city and went into houses and sat 
down to eat and drink. They desired nothing 
but it was at once brought to them, for every man 
was ready to make them good cheer and to give 
them meat and drink to appease them. 

Then the captains, as John Ball, Jack Straw 
and Wat Tyler, went throughout London and 
twenty thousand with them, and they set on fire, 
pillaged and clean destroyed divers houses, and 
they went from street to street and slew all the 
Flemings* they could find. And they slew in the 
city a rich merchant called Kichard Lyon, to whom 
before that time Wat Tyler had done service in 
France. Once on a time this Kichard Lyon had 
beaten Wat while he was his varlet, the which 
Tyler then remembered, and so came to his house 
and struck off his head and caused it to be borne 
on a spear-point before him all about the city. 
Thus these ungracious people demeaned them- 
selves like people enraged. That day they did 
much sorrow in London. 

Over against night they went to lodge at Saint 

* Their grievance against the Fleming manufacturers was that they 
were unfair competitors, who ruined the native artisans by using cheap 
labor. Foreigners, says Professor Omar, were supposed to be sending 
the wealth out of the country, and especially to be exporting secretly all 
the gold and silver, for which they gave in return only useless services. 



300 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

Katherine's before the Tower of London, saying 
how they would never depart thence till they had 
the king at their pleasure, and till he had accorded 
them all, that they would ask accounts of the 
chancellor of England to know where all the goods 
were that he had levied through the realm, and 
without he made a good account to them thereof, 
it should not be to his profit. And so when they 
had done all these evils by day, at night they 
lodged before the Tower. 

Ye may well know and believe that it was great 
pity for the danger that the king and such as 
were with him were in. The king was counseled 
by his brethren and lords, and by sir Nicholas 
Walworth, mayor of London, and divers other 
notable and rich burgesses, that in the night time 
they should issue out of the Tower, and so slay 
all these uphappy people while they were at their 
rest and asleep. For it was thought that many 
of them were drunken, whereby they should be 
slain as flies. Also in twenty of them there was 
scarce one who bore arms. And surely the good 
men of London might well have dared this at 
their ease, for they had in their houses secretly 
their friends and servants ready in arms. How- 
beit, there was nothing done, for the residue of 
the commons of the city were sore doubted lest 
they should rise also.* 

The earl of Salisbury and the wise men about 
the king said, "Sir, if ye can appease them with 
fairness, it were best and most profitable, and to 

* And all that saved these people apparently was fear lest the 
London commons be allied with them, and lest the nobles lose their 
estates and inheritances. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 301 

grant them everything that they desire. For if 
we should begin a thing which we could not 
achieve, we should never recover it again, but we 
and our heirs ever be disinherited. " So this 
counsel was taken and the mayor countermanded. 

In the morning the people, being at Saint 
Katherine's near to the Tower, began to apparel 
themselves and to cry and shout, saying without 
the king would come out and speak with them they 
would assail the Tower, and take it by force, and 
slay all them that were within. 

The king feared these words, and was coun- 
seled that he should issue out to speak with the 
people. And then he sent to them that they 
should all withdraw to a fair, plain place called 
Mile-end, where the people of the city sport them 
in the summer season, and there the king would 
grant them what they desired. It was cried in 
the king's name that whosoever would speak with 
the king, let him go to the said place, and he 
should not fail to find the king. 

Then the people began to depart, specially the 
commons of the villages, and went to the place. 
But all went not thither, for they were not all of 
one condition. For there were some who desired 
nothing but riches, and the utter destruction of 
the noblemen, and to have London robbed and 
pillaged. That was the principal matter of their 
beginning which they well showed, for as soon as 
the Tower gate opened, and the king with divers 
noblemen was issued out, Wat Tyler, Jack Straw, 
John Ball and more than four hundred of these 



302 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

people entered the Tower and broke rip chamber 
after chamber. 

At last they found the archbishop of Canter- 
bury, called Simon, a valiant man and wise, and 
chief chancellor of England, and a little while 
before he had said church service before the king. 
These gluttons took him and struck off his head, 
and also they beheaded the grand prior of the 
Hospital, and a friar, and a sergeant at arms. 
And the four heads were set on four long spears, 
and were borne through the streets of London 
and at last set a-high on London bridge, as 
though they had been traitors to the king and to 
the realm.* 

"When the king came to the said place of Mile- 
end without London, he put out of his company 
the earl of Kent and sir John Holland, for they 
durst not appear before the people. And going 
forward with his other lords the king found three- 
score thousand men of divers villages and of sun- 
dry counties in England. So he entered in 
among them and said to them sweetly, "Ah, good 
people, I am your king; what lack ye? What 
will ye say?" 

Then such as understood him said, "We will 
that ye make us free forever, ourselves, our 
heirs and our lands, and that no more we be called 
bond, nor so be reputed." 

"Sirs," said the king, "I am well agreed 

* A recently discovered manuscript contradicts the order of this 
episode. It declares that Tyler was at the interview at Mile-end, demand- 
ing permission to seize the "traitors" of the realm. When Richard 
granted this, Tyler rushed to the Tower for the archbishop, etc. The 
sense and sequence of the action of the people would uphold this 
statement. 



STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 303 

thereto. Withdraw you home into your own 
houses and into such villages as you come from. 
And leave behind you of every village two or 
three. I shall cause writings to be made and 
seal them with my seal, the which they shall have 
with them, containing everything that ye demand. 
And to the intent that ye shall be better assured, 
I shall cause my banners to be delivered into 
every bailiwick, shire and country." 

These words appeased well the common peo- 
ple, such as were simple and good plain men, that 
were come thither and wist not why. They said, 
"It is well; we desire no better." Thus these 
people began to be appeased and withdraw into 
the city of London. 

And the king also said a word which greatly 
contented them. He said, "Sirs, among you 
good men of Kent ye shall have one of my ban- 
ners with you, and ye of Essex another, and ye of 
Sussex, of Bedford, of Cambridge, of Yarmouth, 
of Stafford and of Lynn, each of you one. And 
also I pardon everything that ye have done hither- 
to, so that ye follow my banners and return home 
to your houses.' ' They all answered how they 
would do so.* Thus these people departed and 
went into London. 

Then the king ordained more than thirty clerks 
to write with all diligence letters patent and 
sealed with the king's seal, and delivered them 
to these people. And when they had received 

* This bears evidence to the sincerity and simple faith of the people, 
and to their knowing what they wanted. And it was an easy way for 
the king and the nobles, who feared for their inheritances, to get rid 
of them. The promises were not, and could not be carried out. The 
next parliament refused to confirm them. 



304 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

the writing they departed and returned into their 
own counties. 

But the great venom remained behind, for 
Wat Tyler, Jack Straw and John Ball said for all 
that these people were thus appeased, yet they 
would not depart so. And they had of their 
accord more than thirty thousand. 

They still abode and made no press to have the 
king's writing and seal, for all their intent* was 
to put the city to trouble in such wise as to slay 
all the rich and honest persons, and to rob and 
pillage their houses. Theyt of London were in 
great fear of this, wherefore they kept their 
houses privily with their friends and such serv- 
ants as they had, every man according to his 
puissance. King Eichard came to the house 
called the Queen's Wardrobe, where the queen 
his mother was right sore afraid, and comforted 
her as well as he could, and tarried there with 
her all the night. 

The next morning, Saturday, the king departed 
and went to Westminster, and heard services in 
the church there, and all his lords with him. 
And beside the church there was a little chapel 
with an image of our Lady which did great 
miracles. The king made his orisons before this 
image| an d did there his offering, and then he 

* Here Froissart's sympathies with the king and nobles lead to an 
assertion for which he could have no real foundation. How did he know 
the intent of those not satisfied with the king's promises? After events 
showed that they were justified in staying to get some definite charter. 

t The "honest and rich" people of London, that is, those who could 
afford bodies of armed servitors. 

t It must be borne in mind that these happenings were before the 
Great Reformation. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 305 

leapt on his horse, and all his lords, and so rode 
toward London. And when he had ridden a little 
way he found a place on the left hand to pass 
without London. 

The same proper morning "Wat Tyler, Jack 
Straw and John Ball assembled their company to 
common together in a place called Smithfield, 
where every Friday there is a market of horses. 
There were together all of affinity more than 
twenty thousand, and yet there were many still in 
the town drinking and making merry in the 
taverns and paying nothing, for they were happy 
that made them best cheer.* And these people 
in Smithfield had with them the king's banners 
which were delivered to them the day before. 

All these gluttons were in mind to overrun 
and rob London the same day, for their captains 
said how they had done nothing as yet. " These 
liberties the king hath given us are to us but 
small profit. Therefore let us be all of one accord 
and overrun this rich and puissant city before 
other commons come. If we be first lords of Lon- 
don and have possession of the riches therein, we 
shall not repent us. If we leave it, they that 
come after will have it from us." 

To this counsel they all agreed. And there- 
with the king came the same way unaware of 
them, for he had thought to pass that way with- 
out London. And with him were forty horse. 
When he came before the abbey of saint Bar- 
tholomew and beheld all these people, he rested, 
and said he would go no farther till he knew what 

* In other words, those of their opinions entertained them gladly. 
20 



306 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

these people ailed, — that if there were any trouble 
he would appease them. The lords that were 
with him tarried also, as reason was when they 
saw the king tarry. 

And when Wat Tyler saw the king tarry he 
said to his people, "Sirs, yonder is the king. I 
will go and speak with him. Stir not from hence 
without I make you a sign. And when I make 
you that sign, come on and slay all them except 
the king. But do the king no hurt. He is young, 
we shall do with him as we list, and shall lead 
him with us all about England, and so shall we 
be lords of all the realm without doubt." 

Therewith he spurred his horse and departed 
from his company and came to the king, so near 
that his horse's head touched the croup of the 
king's horse, and the first word that he said was 
this, "Sir king, seest thou all yonder people ?" 

"Yea, truly," said the king, "wherefore sayest 
thou?" 

"Because," said he, "they be all at my com- 
mandment and have sworn to me faith and truth 
to do all that I will have them." 

"In a good time," said the king, "I will well 
it be so." 

Then Wat Tyler said, as he that nothing 
demanded but riot, "What believest thou, king, 
that these people and as many more as be 
in London at my commandment, that they 
will depart from thee thus without having thy 
letters?" 

"No," said the king, "ye shall have them. 
They are ordered for you and shall be delivered 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 307 

every one, each after the other. Wherefore good 
fellows, withdraw fair and easily to your people 
and cause them to depart out of London ; for it is 
our intent that each of you by villages and town- 
ships shall have letters patent, as I have promised 
you. ' ' 

With those words Wat Tyler cast his eyes on 
a squire that was there with the king bearing the 
king's sword, and Wat Tyler hated greatly this 
same squire, for he had displeased him before 
for words between them. "What," said Tyler, 
"art thou there? Give me thy dagger." 

"Nay," said the squire, "that will I not do. 
Wherefore should I give it thee?" 

The king beheld the squire and said, "Give 
it him ; let him have it. ' ' And so the squire took 
it him sore against his will. 

And when Wat Tyler had it, he began to play 
therewith and turned it in his hand, and said 
again to the squire, "Give me also that sword." 

"Nay," said the squire, "it is the king's 
sword. Thou art not worthy to have it, for thou 
art but a knave. And if there were no more here 
but thou and I, thou durst not speak those words 
for as much gold in quantity as all yonder abbey." 

"By my faith," said Wat Tyler, "I shall never 
eat meat till I have thy head. ' ' 

At these words the mayor of London came to 
the king with twelve horse, all well armed under 
their coats, and he broke through the press and 
saw and heard how Wat Tyler demeaned himself, 
and said to him, "Ha, thou knave, how art thou 



308 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

so hardy in the king's presence to speak such 
words? It is too much for thee so to do." 

Then the king began to chafe and said to the 
mayor, "Set hands on him." 

And while the king said so, Tyler said to the 
mayor, "In God's name, what have I said to dis- 
please thee?" 

"Yes, truly," quoth the mayor, "thou false, 
stinking knave, shalt thou speak thus in the 
presence of the king, my natural lord ? I will not 
live without that thou shalt dearly pay for it." 
And with these words the mayor drew his sword* 
and struck Tyler so great a stroke on the head 
that he fell down at the feet of his horse. And as 
soon as he was fallen they environed him all 
about, whereby he was not seen of his company. 
Then a squire of the king's alighted, called John 
Standish, and he drew out his sword and put it 
into Wat Tyler's body. So Tyler died.f 

Then the ungracious people there assembled, 

* If Tyler had been armed, if he had had with him forty horse, as 
the king had, and twelve horse "well armed under their coats" as the 
mayor had, would the mayor have attacked him? 

t Another account of this interview is that Tyler shook Richard 
heartily by the hand, and told him to be of good cheer, for he would 
soon be held better by the commons than he was at that moment. In 
answer to the question why he did not go home, he said with an oath 
that the people would not go till they got a charter redressing 
their grievances, and it would be worse for the lords if they kept them 
from getting the charter. Among their wants he included that no land 
should thereafter exercise seigniory, that there should be but one bishop 
in England, that the riches of churches and monasteries should, after 
provision for clergy and monks, be divided among the parishioners, that 
there should be no villeinage but all should be free and "of one condition." 
The king promised everything consistent with "the regality of his crown," 
and urged Tyler to go home. 

Tyler, becoming thirsty, called for a drink. They brought him beer. 
A "valet of Kent" with the king then remarked that Tyler was the 
greatest thief and robber in the county. Tyler was about to kill him 
when the mayor of London arrested him. Tyler struck at the mayor, who 
drew his sword and wounded Tyler in the neck. Tyler called on h's 
people to avenge him, and riding a little way fell from his horse.^ His 
people carried him to the hospital of saint Bartholomew and laid him on 
the master's bed. The mayor had him carried out and beheaded. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 309 

perceiving their captain slain, began to murmur 
among themselves, and said, "Ah, our captain is 
slain, let us go and slay them all." And there- 
with they arranged themselves in the manner of 
battle,* their bows before them. 

Then the king began a great act of boldness; 
howbeit, all turned out for the best. For as soon 
as Tyler was on the earth, the king departed from 
all his company and all alone he rode to these 
people, saying to his own men, ' i Sirs, none of you 
follow me. Let me alone.' ' And so when he 
came before these ungracious people, who put 
themselves in order to revenge their captain, the 
king said to them, "Sirs, what aileth you? Ye 
shall have no captain but me. I am your king. 
Be ye all in rest and peace." 

The most part of the people that heard the 
king speak, and saw him among them, were 
shame-faced, and began to wax peaceable and 
depart. But some, such as were malicious and 
evil, would not depart, but made as though they 
would do something. 

Then the king returned to his own company 
and demanded of them what was best to be done. 
He was counseled to draw into the fields, for to 
fly away was no help. Then said the mayor, "It 
is good that we do so, for I think surely we shall 
have shortly some aid from them of London and 
such good men as be of our part and are prepared 
and have their friends and men ready armed in 
their houses." 

In the meantime voice and rumor ran through 

* They had not till then drawn up in battle array. 



310 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

London that these unhappy people were likely to 
slay the king and the mayor in Smithfield. 
Through this rumor all manner of good men of 
the king's party issued out of their houses and 
lodgings, well armed, and so came all to Smith- 
field and to the field where the king was. And 
they were soon the number of seven or eight thou- 
sand men, well armed. 

Among the first came sir Eobert Knolles and 
sir Perducas d'Albret, well accompanied, and 
divers of the aldermen of London, and with them 
six hundred men in arms. And also a puissant 
man of the city, who was the king's draper, 
Nicholas Bramber, and he brought with him a 
great company. And ever as they came they 
arranged themselves afoot in order of battle.* 

And on the other part were these unhappy 
people ready ranged, making semblance to give 
battle. And they had with them divers of the 
king's banners. 

Then the king madef three knights, the one 
the mayor of London sir William Walworth, sir 
John Standish, sir Nicholas Bramber. Then the 
lords said among themselves, "What shall we 
do? We see here our enemies who would gladly 
slay us if they have the better hand of us." 

Sir Eobert Knolles counseled to go and fight 
with them and slay them all. Yet the king would 
not consent thereto, but said, "Nay, I will not so. 
I will send to them commanding them to send me 

*Men strong, well fed, well armed, according to that day, in fresh 
strength, against a hungry, travel-worn, unarmed, disorganized, awed and 
heart-sick multitude. 

f The king then and there dubbed the three men knights for their 
services to him that morning. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 311 

again my banners, and thereby we shall see what 
they will do. Howbeit, either by fairness or 
otherwise, I will have my banners." 

"That is well said, sir," quoth the earl of 
Salisbury. 

Then the new knights were sent to them, and 
these knights made sign to them not to shoot* at 
them, and when they came so near them that their 
speech might be heard, they said, "Sirs, the king 
commandeth you to send to him again his ban- 
ners, and we think he will have mercy for you." 

At once they gave up the banners and sent 
them to the king. Also they were commanded, 
on pain of beheading, that all such as had letters 
of the king to bring them forth and send them 
again to the king. Many of them delivered their 
letters; but not all. Then the king caused the 
letters to be all torn to pieces in their presence. 

And as soon as the king's banners were de- 
livered again, these unhappy people broke their 
array and cast down their bows and returned to 
London. 

Sir Robert Knolles was sore displeased in that 
he might not go to slay them all. But the king 
would not consent thereto, but said he would be 
revenged of them well enough.f And so he was 
after. 

Thus the foolish people departed, some one 
way and some another. And the king and his 
lords and all his company in good order and with 
great joy entered London. 

* Certain ones by chance had bows and arrows. 

t Possibly he referred to his promises and the later action of 
parliament. 



312 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

And the first journey that the king made he 
went to the lady princess, his mother, who was 
in the house called the Queen's Wardrobe, and 
there she had tarried two days and two nights 
right sore afraid, as she had good reason. And 
when she saw the king her son, she was greatly 
rejoiced and said, "Ah, fair son, what pain and 
great sorrow have I suffered for you this day!" 

Then the king answered and said, "Certainly, 
madam, I know it well. But now rejoice yourself 
and thank God, for it is time. I have this day 
recovered mine heritage and the realm of Eng- 
land, the which I had nearly lost."* Thus the 
king tarried that day with his mother, and every 
lord went peaceably to his lodgings. 

Then there was a cry made in the king's name 
in every street that all manner of men, not being 
of the city of London and had not dwelt there the 
space of one year, should depart. And if any 
such be found there on Sunday by sunrise, they 
should be taken as traitors to the king and lose 
their heads. This cry thus made there were none 
that durst break, and so all manner of people 
departed and scattered, every man to his own 
place. 

John Ball and Jack Straw were found in an 
old house hidden, thinking to have stolen awdj. 
But they could not for they were betrayed by 
their own men. Of the taking of them the king 
and his lords were right glad Their heads were 

* This is a bit of vainglory. When the commons were come to 
Blackheath "they said ever that they were the king's men and for the 
noble commonwealth of England." 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 313 

struck off,* and Wat Tyler's also, and set on 
London bridge. And the valiant men's lieadsf 
were taken down that they had set on the bridge 
the Thursday before. 

These tidings were soon spread abroad so that 
the people of the neighboring counties, who were 
coming towards London, durst come no farther, 
but turned back again to their homes. t 

* Another account says that after Ball was taken he was sentenced 
to be hanged, drawn and quartered as a traitor. The sentence was 
carried out July 15th, and the king witnessed the execution. The four 
quarters were sent to four different towns to be publicly exhibited. 

f That is, the head of the archbishop, treasurer and chancellor, from 
whom the people wanted account of the general money of the realm, and 
the heads of the other three, the prior, friar and sergeant. 

t So ended the heroic endeavor of the commons, their failure to get 
at that time what they conceived just and desirable for the common 
realm. But the moral effect of the protest has never been lost. "The 
unity of the rising was not produced by unity of purpose," says Stubbs 
in his Constitutional History; "no common political purpose can be 
alleged; but just as in court and parliament * * * men were intriguing 
and combining for selfish ends, year by year altering their combinations 
and diversifying the object of their intrigues, so the general discontent and 
trouble in the humble classes * * * produced a rebellion with many 
causes and consequences." 

"The rising of the commons is one of the most portentous phenomena 
to be found in the whole of our history. The extent of the area over 
which it spread, * * * the variety of cries and causes which combined 
to produce it, the mystery that pervades its organization, its sudden 
collapse and its indirect permanent results, give it a singular importance 
both constitutionally and socially." 



The Battle of Otterburn: to 

which is added the Episode of 

Sir Matthew Redman and 

Sir James Lindsay 

The story of the battle of Otterburn has been variously told. 
In ballads we know it under the name of Chevy Chase and 
The Battle of Otterbourne. The fame of the ballad form is 
older than sir Philip Sidney, who wrote, ' ' I never heard the olde 
song of Percy and Duglas that I found not my heart moved more 
than with a trumpet. ' ' 

No story of the historic encounter between Hotspur and sir 
James Douglas is however more vivid and informing than the 
following pages from Berners' Froissart. "It was shewed me by 
such as had been at the same battle, ' ' said the chronicler, ' ' as well 
by knights and squires of England as of Scotland, at the house 
of the earl of Foix — for anon after this battle was done I met 
at Orthez two squires of England called John of Chateauneuf and 
John of Cantiron. Also when I returned to Avignon I found also 
there a knight and squire of Scotland. I knew them and they 
knew me by such tokens as I showed them of their country. For 
I. author of this book, in my youth had ridden nigh over all the 
realm of Scotland, and I was as then a fifteen days in the house 
of earl William Douglas, father to the same earl James of whom 
I speak now, in a castle five leagues from Edinburgh which is 
called in the country Dalkeith. The same time I saw there this 
earl James, a fair young child, and a sister of his called the 
lady Blanche. 

And I was informed by both sides how this battle was as 
sore a battle fought as readily hath been heard of before of such 
a number. And I believe it well, for Englishmen on the one 
party and Scots on the other party are good men of war, for 
when they meet there is a hard fight without sparing, there is no 
ho between them as long as spears, sworrN, axes or daggers will 
endure, but lay on each upon other. And when they have well 
fought and one party hath obtained the victory, they then glorify 
so in their deeds of arms and are so joyful that such as be taken 
they shall be ransomed or they go out of the field, so that shortly 
each of them is so content with other that at their deoarting 
courteously they will say, 'God thank you.' But in fighting one 
with another there is no play nor sparing. This is true, and that 

314 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 315 

shall well appear by this encounter, for it was as valiantly fought 
as could be devised, as ye shall hear. " 

Kichard II, seven years older than upon the day of Wat 
Tyler's memorable interview told in the foregoing story, was on 
the English throne. The Scots had determined to ravage England. 
The main body of the Scots marched towards Carlisle, while earl 
Douglas with a smaller body went raiding in Northumberland. 

THE BATTLE OF OTTERBURN 

WHEN the earl of Douglas, the earl of 
Moray and the earl of March and Dun- 
bar departed with their bands from the 
great host of the Scots then invading England, 
they took their way thinking to enter the bishopric 
of Durham, and to ride to the town and then 
return burning and exiling the country, and so 
to come to Newcastle and to lodge there in the 
town in despite of all the Englishmen. 

As they determined, so they did essay to put 
it in use, for they rode a great pace under cover 
without doing of any pillage by the way, or as- 
saulting of any castle, tower or house. So they 
came into the lord Percy's land, and passed the 
river of Tyne without any hindrance, and at last 
entered the bishopric of Durham, where they 
found a good country. Then they began to make 
war, to slay people and to burn villages, and to 
do many sore displeasures. At that time the earl 
of Northumberland and other lords and knights 
of that country knew nothing of their coming. 

When tidings came to Newcastle, and to Dur- 
ham, that the Scots were abroad, as one might 
well see by the fires and smoke in the country, 
the earl sent to Newcastle his two sons with com- 
mandment to every man to draw to Newcastle, say- 



316 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

ing to his sons, "Ye shall go to Newcastle and all 
the country shall assemble there, and I shall tarry 
at Alnwick, which is a passage that they must pass 
by. If we may enclose them we shall speed well. ,, 
Sir Henry Percy and sir Ralph, his brother, 
obeyed their father's commandment and came 
thither with them of the country. And the smoke of 
the Scots ' burning the country came to Newcastle. 

When the three Scottish earls, who were chief 
captains of their bands, had sore overrun the 
country of Durham, then they returned to New- 
castle and there rested and tarried two days. 
And every day they skirmished. 

The earl of Northumberland's two sons were 
young, lusty knights, and were ever foremost at 
the barriers to skirmish. There were many proper 
feats of arms done and achieved. There was 
fighting hand to hand; and among others there 
fought hand to hand the earl Douglas and sir 
Henry Percy. And by force of arms the earl 
Douglas won the pennon of sir Henry Percy's; 
wherewith sir Henry was sore displeased and so 
were all the Englishmen. 

And the earl Douglas said to sir Henry Percy, 
1 ' Sir, I shall bear this token of your prowess into 
Scotland, and shall set it on high on my castle of 
Dalkeith, that it may be seen far off." 

"Sir," quoth sir Henry, "ye may be sure ye 
shall not pass the bounds of this country till ye 
be met withal in such wise that ye shall make no 
boast thereof." 

"Well, sir," quoth the earl Douglas, "come 
this night to my lodging and seek your pennon. 



STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 317 

I shall set it before ray lodging, and see if ye will 
come to take it away. ' ' 

So then it was late, and the Scots withdrew 
and refreshed them with such as they had. They 
had meat enough. They made that night good 
watch, for they thought surely to be awaked for 
the words they had spoken. But they were not, 
for sir Henry Percy was counseled not so to do. 

The next day the Scots dislodged and returned 
towards their own country, and so came to a 
castle and a town called Pontland, whereof sir 
Edmund of Alphel, who was a right good knight, 
was lord. There the Scots rested, for they came 
thither betimes, and understood that the knight 
was in his castle. They set in order to assail the 
castle, and gave a great assault, so that by force 
of arms they won it and the knight within it. 
The town and castle were burnt. 

From thence the Scots went to the town and 
castle of Otterburn, thirty English miles from 
Newcastle, and there lodged. That day they 
made no assault, but the next morning they blew 
their horns and made ready to assail the castle, 
which was strong, for it stood in a marsh. That 
day they assaulted till they were weary, and did 
nothing. Then they sounded the retreat and 
returned to their lodgings. 

Then the lords drew to council to determine 
what they should do. The most part were of the 
accord that the next day they should dislodge 
without giving of any assault, and to draw fair 
and easily towards Carlisle. But the earl Douglas 
broke that counsel and said, "In despite of sir 



318 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

Henry Percy, who said he would come and win 
again his pennon, let ns not depart hence for two 
or three days. Let us assail this castle. It is 
pregnable. We shall have double honor. And 
then let us see if he will come and fetch his 
pennon. It shall be well def ended.' ' 

Every man accorded to this saying of the earl 
Douglas what for their honor and for the love of 
him. Also they lodged there at their ease, for 
there was none that troubled them. They made 
many lodgings of boughs and great herbs, and 
fortified their camp sagely with the marsh that 
was thereby. Their carriages were set at the 
entry into the marsh, and they had all their beasts 
within the marsh. They appareled for to assault 
the next day. This was their intention. 

Now sir Henry Percy and sir Ealph, his 
brother, were sore displeased that the earl Doug- 
las had won the pennon of their arms. Also it 
touched greatly their honors if they did not as 
sir Henry Percy said he would. For he had said 
that the earl Douglas should not carry his pennon 
out of England, and had openly spoken this before 
all the knights and squires that were at Newcastle. 

The knights of the country, such as were well 
expert in arms, spoke against sir Henry Percy's 
opinion, and said to him, "Sir, there fortuneth in 
war oftentimes many losses. If the earl Douglas 
have won your pennon, he bought it dear, for he 
came to the gate to seek it and was well fought 
with. Another day ye shall win as much of him, 
or more. Sir, we say this because we know well 
all the power of Scotland is abroad in the fields 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 319 

of England, and if we issue out and be not men 
enough to fight with them, — and peradventure 
they have made this skirmish with us to the intent 
to draw us out of the town (the number they are 
of, it is said, above forty thousand men) — they 
may soon enclose us and do with us what they 
will. It were better to lose a pennon than two or 
three hundred knights and squires, and put all 
our country in peril." 

These words refrained sir Henry and his 
brother, sir Balph, for they would do nothing 
against counsel. Then tidings came to them by 
such as had followed the Scots from Newcastle 
and had well advised their doing. "Sirs," they 
said, "we have followed the Scots privily. They 
have taken sir Edmund Alphel in his own castle, 
and from thence gone to Otterburn, and there they 
lie this night. What they will do to-morrow we 
know not. And, sirs, surely their great host is 
not with them, for in all they pass not three thou- 
sand men." 

When sir Henry heard that he was joyful and 
said, "Sirs, let us leap on our horses, for by the 
faith I owe to God, and to my lord, my father, 
I will go seek for my pennon and dislodge them 
this same night." Knights and squires that 
heard him agreed thereto and were joyous, and 
every man made himself ready. 

The same evening the bishop of Durham was 
coming thither with a ^ood company, for he heard 
at Durham how the Scots were before Newcastle 
and how the lord Percy's sons with other lords 
and knights should fight with the Scots. There- 



320 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

fore the bishop of Durham to come to the rescue 
had assembled all the country and so was coming 
to Newcastle. 

But sir Henry Percy would not abide his com- 
ing for he had with him six hundred spears, 
knights and squires, and eight thousand footmen. 
They thought that sufficient number to fight with 
the band of Scots, if they were but three thousand 
spears and three thousand of other. Thus they 
departed from Newcastle after dinner and set 
forth in good order, and took the same way as 
the Scots had gone, and rode to Otterburn, but 
they could not ride fast because of their footmen. 

When the Scots had supped they lay down to 
their rest, for they were weary with assaulting 
of the castle all that day, and thought to rise early 
in the morning in the cool of the day to give a 
new assault. Therewith suddenly the English- 
men came upon them, crying " Percy! Percy !" 
and entered into lodgings wherein were but 
varlets and servants, thinking it the master's 
lodgings. 

And it fortuned well for the Scots. For when 
they saw the Englishmen come to wake them, 
then the lords sent certain of their servants of 
footmen to skirmish with the Englishmen at the 
entry of the lodgings, and in the mean time they 
armed and appareled them, every man under his 
banner and under his captain's pennon. The 
night was far on, but the moon shone so bright 
it was as if in a manner day. It was in the 
month of August, and the weather fair and 
temperate. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 321 

Thus the Scots were drawn together and with- 
out any noise departed from their lodgings and 
went to a little mountain — which was greatly to 
their advantage. For all the day before they had 
well considered the place and said among them- 
selves, "If the Englishmen come on us suddenly, 
then we will draw to this place, for it is a 
jeopardous thing in the night if men of war enter 
our lodgings." 

When the Englishmen entered into the field, 
at the first they overcame the varlets, and as they 
entered further in, always they found new men 
to busy them and to skirmish with them. Then 
suddenly came the Scots from the little mountain, 
and set on the Englishmen, whereof the English- 
men were sore astonished. Then the Englishmen 
cried "Percy !" and the Scots cried "Douglas !" 

Then began a cruel battle, and at the first 
encounter many of both parties were overthrown. 
And because the Englishmen were a great num- 
ber and greatly desired to vanquish their enemies, 
they did greatly put back the Scots so that the 
Scots were near discomfited. Then the earl 
James Douglas, who was young and strong and 
of great desire to get praise and grace, and was 
willing to deserve to have it, and cared for no 
pain nor travail, came forth with his banner and 
cried, "Douglas! Douglas !" 

And sir Henry Percy and sir Ealph, his 
brother, who had great indignation against the 
earl Douglas because he had won the pennon of 
their arms at the barriers before Newcastle, came 
to that part and cried, "Percy!" 

21 



322 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

Their two banners met and their men each 
against other, envious who should win. The 
Scots showed great hardiness, and fought with 
great desire of honor. The Englishmen also did 
nobly acquit themselves; for every Englishmen 
had rather be slain, or taken, than to fly. There 
was a sore fight, and the Englishmen were so 
strong and fought so valiantly that they drove 
the Scots back. 

Then the earl Douglas, who was of great heart 
and high of enterprise, seeing his men driven 
back, then to recover the place and to show 
knightly valor, he took his axe in both his hands, 
and entered so into the press and made himself 
way in such wise that none durst approach him. 
And he was so well armed that he bore off such 
strokes as he received. Thus he went ever for- 
ward like a hardy Hector, willing alone to con- 
quer the field and to discomfit his enemies. But 
at last he was met with three spears all at once; 
the one struck him on the shoulder, the other on 
the breast, and the third struck him in the thigh. 
Sore hurt with all three strokes he was borne 
perforce to the earth, and after that he could not 
be again relieved for he had his death wound. 

After he was overthrown the press was great 
about him. His men followed him as near as 
they could, and there came to him sir James 
Lindsay, his cousin, and sir John and sir Walter 
Sinclair, and other knights and squires. And by 
him was a gentle knight of his, who had followed 
him in his valor, and a chaplain of his, not like 
a priest but like a valiant man of arms, for he had 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 323 

followed the earl with a good axe in his hands 
and still skirmished about the earl where he lay 
and drove back the Englishmen with great strokes, 
whereby he had great praise, and the same year 
was made archdeacon of Aberdeen. 

When these knights came to the earl, sir John 
Sinclair demanded how he did. " Right evil, 
cousin," quoth the earl, "but thanked be God 
there hath been but a few of mine ancestors that 
hath died in their beds. But, cousin, I require 
you to avenge me. I reckon myself but dead, for 
my heart fainteth oftentimes. My cousin "Walter 
and you, I pray you raise up again my banner 
which lieth on the ground, and my squire, Davie 
Collemine, slain. But, sirs, show neither to friend 
nor foe in what case ye see me, for if mine ene- 
mies knew it they would rejoice and our friends 
be discomforted." 

The two brethren of Sinclair and sir James 
Lindsay did as the earl had desired them, and 
raised up again his banner and cried "Douglas!" 
Such as were behind and heard that cry drew 
together and set on their enemies valiantly, and 
drove back the Englishmen beyond the place 
where the earl lay, who was by that time dead, 
and so came to the banner, the which sir John 
Sinclair held in his hands, and many good knights 
and squires of Scotland about him. Thither came 
the earl Moray with his banner well accompanied, 
and also the earl of March and Dunbar, and 
when they saw the Englishmen drawn back and 
their company assembled together, they renewed 



324 STORIES PROM OLD CHRONICLES 

again the battle and gave many hard and sad 
strokes. 

Of all battles and encounterings, great or 
small, that I have made mention of heretofore in 
all this history, this battle was one of the sorest 
and best fought without cowardice or faint hearts. 
The earl of Northumberland's sons, sir Henry and 
sir Ralph Percy, who were sovereign captains, 
acquitted themselves nobly. Sir Ealph Percy 
entered in so far among his enemies that he was 
closed in and hurt, and so sore handled was he 
and his breath so short that he was taken prisoner 
by a knight of the earl of Moray's, called sir John 
Maxwell. In the taking the Scottish knight 
demanded what he was, for it was still in the 
night so that he knew him not. Sir Ralph was so 
sore overcome and bleeding that at last he said, 
"I am Ralph Percy." 

Then the Scot said, "Sir Ralph, rescue or 
no rescue I take you for my prisoner. I am 
Maxwell.' ' 

"Well," quoth sir Ralph, "I am content But 
take heed of me for I am sore hurt. My hose and 
greaves are full of blood." 

Then the knight saw by him the earl of Moray 
and said, "Sir, here I deliver to you sir Ralph 
Percy as prisoner ; but, sir, let good heed be taken 
to him for he is sore hurt." 

The earl was joyful of these words and said, 
"Maxwell, thou hast well won thy spurs." Then 
he delivered sir Ralph Percy to certain of his 
men, and they stopped and wrapped his wounds. 
And still the battle endured, neither knowing who 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 325 

had as then the better. Many were taken and 
rescued again that came to no knowledge. 

To say truth, the Englishmen were sorer 
wearied than the Scots, for they came the same 
day from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and went a great 
pace to the intent to find the Scots; so that by 
their fast going they were near out of breath, and 
the Scots were fresh and well rested, which greatly 
availed them in the battle. In the last skirmish 
they drove back the Englishmen in such wise that 
after that they could no more assemble together. 

And it fortuned that sir Henry Percy and the 
lord of Montgomery, a valiant knight of Scotland, 
fought together hand to hand right valiantly with- 
out hindering of any other, for every man had 
enough to do. So long these two fought that per- 
force of arms sir Henry Percy was taken pris- 
oner by the said lord of Montgomery. 

This battle was fierce and cruel till it came to 
the end of the discomfiture. But when the Scots 
saw the Englishmen turn back and yield them- 
selves, then the Scots were courteous, and set 
them to their ransom, and every man said to his 
prisoner, "Sir, go and unarm you and take your 
ease; I am your master," and so made their 
prisoners as good cheer as though they had been 
brethren, without doing to them any damage. 

The chase endured five English miles, and if 
the Scots had been enough, there had none es- 
caped, but either they had been taken or slain. 

The same evening that the Percys departed 
from Newcastle, as ye have heard before, the 
bishop of Durham with the rear band came to 



326 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

Newcastle and supped. And as he sat at table 
lie considered with himself how he did not acquit 
himself well to see the Englishmen in the field and 
lie to be within the town. At once he caused the 
tables to be taken away, and commanded to sad- 
dle his horses and to sound the trumpets, and he 
called upon men in the town to arm themselves 
and to mount on their horses, and footmen to 
order themselves to depart. 

Thus every man departed out of the town to 
the number of seven thousand, two thousand on 
horseback and five thousand afoot. They took 
their way to Otterburn where the battle had been. 

By the time they had gone two miles from 
Newcastle, tidings came to them how their men 
were fighting with the Scots. Therewith the 
bishop rested. And at once came more flying fast 
and out of breath, and saying, "We are all dis- 
comfited; here cometh the Scots chasing us." 
These tidings troubled the Englishmen and they 
began to fear. And again the third time men 
came flying as fast as they might. 

When the men of the bishopric of Durham 
heard of these evil tidings, they were dismayed 
in such wise that they broke their array, so that 
the bishop could not hold together the number of 
^.ve hundred. Then the bishop, having good will 
to succor the Englishmen, comforted his men as 
much as he could and demanded counsel of sir 
William Lucy, and of sir Thomas Clifford, and of 
other knights, what was best to do. These knights 
could give him no counsel, for they thought to 
return again and do nothing should sound greatly 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 327 

to their blame, and to go forth might be to their 
great damage. So they stood still, and would 
give none answer, and the longer they stood the 
fewer they were, for some stole away. 

Then the bishop said, "Sirs, all things con- 
sidered, it is none honor to put all in peril, nor 
to make of one evil damage twain. We hear how 
our company is discomfited, and we cannot remedy 
it. For to go to recover them we know not with 
whom, nor with what number, we shall meet. 
Let us return fair and easily to Newcastle, and 
to-morrow let us draw together and go look on 
our enemies." 

Every man answered, "As God will, so be it." 
Therewith they returned to Newcastle. 

Thus a man may consider the great default 
that is in men that be dismayed and discomfited. 
For if they had kept them together, and had 
turned again such as fled, they had discomfited 
the Scots. This was the opinion of divers; and 
because they did not thus, the Scots had the 
victory. 

When the bishop of Durham was come again 
to Newcastle and in his lodgings, he was sore 
pensive and wist not what to say or do; for he 
heard say how his cousins, the Percys, were slain 
or taken, and all the knights that were with them. 

Then he sent for all the knights and squires 
that were in the town ; and when they were come 
he demanded of them if they should leave the 
matter in that case, and said : ' ' Sirs, we shall bear 
great blame if we thus return without looking on 



328 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

They concluded by the sunrising every man to 
be armed, and on horseback and afoot to depart 
out of the town, and to go to Otterburn to fight 
with the Scots. This was warned through the 
town by a trumpet, and every man armed them 
and assembled before the bridge, and by the sun- 
rising they departed by the gate towards Berwick 
and took the way towards Otterburn to the num- 
ber of ten thousand afoot and a-horseback. 

They were not gone past two miles from 
Newcastle when the Scots were signified that the 
bishop of Durham was coming to them to fight. 
This they knew by their spies such as they had 
set in the fields. The knights of Scotland then 
drew to council to see what was best for them to 
do, either to depart or else to abide the adventure. 

All things considered they concluded to abide, 
for they said they could not be in a better or a 
stronger place than they were in already; that 
they had many prisoners and they could not carry 
them away, if they should depart; and also they 
had many of their men hurt and also some of 
their prisoners whom they thought they would 
not leave behind them. Thus they drew together 
and ordered so their field that there was no entry 
but one way, and they set all their prisoners 
together and made them promise how that, rescue 
or no rescue, they should be their prisoners. 

After that they made all their minstrels to 
blow up all at once and made the greatest revel 
in the world. It is the usage of Scots, when they 
are thus assembled together in arms, for the foot- 
men to bear about their necks horns in manner 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 329 

like hunters, some great, some small, and of all 
sorts, so that when they blow all at once they 
make such a noise that it may be heard nigh four 
miles off. Thus do they to frighten their enemies 
and to rejoice themselves. 

When the bishop of Durham with his banner 
and ten thousand men were approached within a 
league, then the Scots blew their horns in such 
wise that it seemed that all the devils in hell had 
been among them, so that such as heard them, and 
knew not of their usage, were sore afraid. 

This blowing and noise endured a long space 
and then ceased ; and by that time the Englishmen 
were within less than a mile. Then the Scots 
began to blow again and made a great noise and 
as long endured as it did before. The bishop 
approached with his battalions well ranged in 
good order, and came within the sight of the 
Scots, within two bow-shots or less. Then the 
Scots blew again their horns a long space. 

The bishop stood still to see what the Scots 
would do, and viewed them well, and saw how 
they were in a strong ground greatly to their 
advantage. Then he took counsel what was best 
for him to do. But all things well advised, they 
were not in purpose to enter in among the Scots 
to assail them, but returned without doing any 
thing, for they saw well they might rather lose 
than win. 

When the Scots saw the Englishmen driven 
back, they went to their lodgings and made merry 
and set in order to depart from thence. And 
because that sir Ralph Percy was sore hurt, he 



330 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

desired of his master that he might return to 
Newcastle, or into some place that pleased him, 
tmto such time as he were whole of his hurts, 
promising that as soon as he were able to ride he 
would return into Scotland, either to Edinboro or 
any other appointed place. The earl of March, 
under whom he was taken, agreed thereto and 
delivered him a horse litter and sent him away. 
And by like covenant divers other knights and 
squires were suffered to return and took terms 
either to return or to pay their ransom, such as 
they were appointed to. 

At this battle between Newcastle and Otter- 
burn, in the year of our Lord 1388, on the fifth 
day of August, there were taken prisoners of the 
English party and slain in the field, a thousand 
and forty men, and in the chase eighteen hundred 
and forty, and sore hurt more than a thousand. 
And of the Scots there were a hundred slain, and 
taken in the chase more than two hundred. For 
as the Englishmen fled, when they saw any advan- 
tage they returned again and fought. By that 
means the Scots were taken and none otherwise. 

After the battle was thus finished, every man 
returned, the earl Douglas's dead body was 
chested and laid on a cart, and the Scots departed 
and led with them sir Henry Percy and more than 
forty knights of England, and took their way to 
the abbey of Melrose. At their departing they 
set fire to their lodgings and rode all the day and 
yet lay that night on English ground, which none 
denied them. 

The next day they dislodged early in the morn- 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 331 

ing and so came that day to Melrose. It was an 
abbey of monks on the border between the realms 
of Scotland and England. There they rested, 
and the second day after reverently buried the 
earl James Douglas. And over his body they 
laid a tomb of stone and hung his banner over 
him. 

When these Scots had been at Melrose abbey 
and done there all that they came thither for, then 
they departed each from other and went into their 
own countries. And such as had prisoners, some 
led them away with them and some were ransomed 
and suffered to return. Thus the Englishmen 
found the Scots right courteous and gentle in 
their deliverance and ransom, so that they were 
well content. And the Scots had by reason of 
their journey two hundred thousand franks for 
ransoming of prisoners, for since the battle before 
Stirling, when sir Eobert of Bruce and other 
Scots chased the Englishmen three days, they 
never had journey so profitable nor so honorable 
for them as this was. 



SIE MATTHEW REDMAN and SIR JAMES 
LINDSAY 

{An incident following the battle of Otterburn) 

When the Englishmen were turned back at the 
battle of Otterburn, sir Matthew Redman of that 
army, being on horseback, sought to save himself, 
since he alone could not remedy the event of the 
battle. 



332 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

At his departing, sir James Lindsay, a Scot, 
was near him, and saw him depart; and then sir 
James, to win honor, followed him in chase, and 
came so near sir Matthew that he might have 
stricken him with his spear if he had list. Then 
he said, ' l Ah, sir knight, turn. It is a shame thus 
to fly. I am James of Lindsay. If ye will not 
turn I will strike you on the back with my spear. ' ' 

Sir Matthew spoke no word, but struck his 
horse with the spurs sorer than he did before. 
In this manner sir James chased him more than 
three miles, and at last sir Matthew's horse 
foundered and fell under him. Then he stept 
forth on the earth, and drew out his sword, and 
took courage to defend himself. 

The Scot thought to have stricken him on the 
breast, but sir Matthew swerved from the stroke 
and the spear point entered the earth. Then sir 
Matthew struck asunder the spear with his sword. 

Now when sir James Lindsay saw how he had 
lost his spear, he cast away the truncheon that 
remained in his hand, and alighted afoot and took 
a little battle-axe that he carried at his back and 
handled it with one hand quickly and deftly, 
in which feat Scots are expert, and then he set 
at sir Matthew, who defended himself properly. 
Thus they tourneyed together, one with an axe 
and the other with a sword, a long season, and no 
man to hinder them. 

Finally sir James gave sir Matthew such 
strokes, and held him so short that he was put 
out of breath in such wise that he yielded himself 
and said, "Sir James Lindsay, I yield me to you. ,, 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 333 

"Well," quoth sir James, "and I receive you, 
rescue or no rescue.' ' 

"I am content," quoth Redman, "so ye deal 
with me like a good companion." ' 

"I shall not fail that," quoth Lindsay, and 
so put up his axe. 

"Well, sir," quoth Redman, "what will you 
now that I shall do? I am your prisoner, ye 
have conquered me. I would gladly go again to 
Newcastle, and within fifteen days I will come to 
you in Scotland wherever ye shall assign me." 

"I am content," quoth Lindsay, "ye shall 
promise by your faith to present yourself within 
these three weeks at Edinboro, and wheresoever 
ye go to declare yourself my prisoner." 

All this sir Matthew swore and promised to 
fulfil. Then each took his horse, and they took 
leave each of the other. Sir James returned, and 
his intent was to go to his own company the same 
way he came ; and sir Matthew to Newcastle. 

Sir James Lindsay could not keep the right 
way as he came. It was dark and there was a 
mist, and he had not ridden half a mile when he 
met face to face with the bishop of Durham, who 
had more than five hundred Englishmen with 
him. The Scot might well have escaped, but he 
supposed he had fallen in with his own company 
that had pursued the English. So when he was 
among them, one demanded of him what he was. 
"I am," quoth he, "sir James Lindsay." 

The bishop heard those words, and stept to 
him and said, "Lindsay, ye are taken; yield ye 
to me." 



334 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

" Who are you?" quoth Lindsay. 

"I am," quoth he, "the bishop of Durham." 

"And from whence came you, sir?" quoth 
Lindsay. 

"I come from the battle," quoth the bishop, 
"but I struck never a stroke there. I go back to 
Newcastle for this night, and ye shall go with me." 

"I may not choose," quoth Lindsay, "since ye 
will have it so. I have taken, and I am taken; 
such is the adventures of arms." 

"Whom have ye taken?" quoth the bishop. 

1 ' Sir, ' ' quoth he, "I took in the chase sir Mat- 
thew Eedman." 

"And where is he?" quoth the bishop. 

"By my faith, sir, he is returned to Newcastle. 
He desired me to trust him on his faith for three 
weeks, and so have I done." 

"Well," quoth the bishop, "let us go to New- 
castle and there ye shall speak with him." 

Thus they rode to Newcastle together, and sir 
James Lindsay was prisoner to the bishop of 
Durham. 

After sir Matthew Redman was returned to 
Newcastle, and had showed to divers how he had 
been taken prisoner by sir James Lindsay, then 
it was showed to him how the bishop of Durham 
had taken the said sir James Lindsay, and how 
he was there in the town a prisoner. 

Sir Matthew went at once to the bishop's lodg- 
ings to see his master, and there he found him 
very pensive, leaning against a window, and he 
said, "What, sir James Lindsay, what make you 
here?" 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 335 

Then sir James roused himself from his study 
and gave good morrow, and said, "By my faith, 
sir Matthew, fortune hath brought me hither. 
For as soon as I was departed from you, I met 
by chance the bishop of Durham, to whom I am 
prisoner, as ye are to me. I believe ye shall not 
need to come to Edinboro to me to pay your ran- 
som. I think rather we shall make an exchange 
one for another, if the bishop be so content." 

"Well, sir," quoth Eedman, "we shall accord 
right well together. Ye shall dine this day with 
me. The bishop and our men are gone forth to 
fight with your men. I cannot tell what shall fall. 
We shall know at their return." 

"I am content to dine with you," quoth 
Lindsay. Thus these two knights dined together 
at Newcastle. 



How Richard II resigned the 
English Throne: and how 
he died 

The pitiful story of the putting off of Richard II from the 
English throne is here told by Froissart, who, as we have already 
said, had been at the court of his grandfather, Edward III, and 
his grandmother Philippa, and knew his mother Joan, ' ' The Fair 
Maid of Kent," and his father, the Black Prince. 

In a story before this, ' ' The People 's March to London, ' ' we 
see Eichard, then but a fair-haired lad of fifteen, distinguishing 
himself by extraordinary courage and independence. In this tale 
of his life eighteen years later we find weakness and indolence 
marking him and leading to his downfall. 

His kingdom had been in an unquiet state during much of 
Richard's reign. But now Londoners, and others of the people, 
and also certain nobles, were especially numerous against the 
king. They had gone so far as to send to France for Henry 
Bolingbroke, called both earl of Derby and duke of Lancaster in 
the following story — he was earl of Derby before the death of his 
father, John of Gaunt, and came to the Lancastrian estates upon 
John of Gaunt 's death. 

Henry had accepted the proposal of the Londoners and other 
Englishmen, and landing with a handful of men on the coast of 
Yorkshire on the 22d of July, 1399, had met those rallying to 
his standard in constantly increasing numbers on his march 
to Bristol. 

Richard, meanwhile, had come back from an expedition to 
Ireland, and trusting to misguided or false advisers, had gone to 
Flint Castle in North Wales at the mouth of the Dee, one hun- 
dred and seventy-three miles from London. He was there abiding 
when the following story begins. 

THE earl of Derby and the Londoners had 
their spies going and coming, who reported 
to them all the state of the king. And the 
earl had sure knowledge that the king was gone 
to the castle of Flint and had no company with 
him but such as were of his own household. Then 

OQ 336 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 337 

the earl determined to ride thither and to have 
the king either by force or by treaty. 

Then the earl and all his company rode thither, 
and within two miles of the castle they found a 
great village. There the earl tarried and drank, 
and determined in himself to ride to the castle of 
Flint with two hundred horse and to leave the 
rest of his company there at the village. He said 
he would do what he could to enter the castle by 
love and not perforce, and to bring out the king 
with fair words, and to assure him from all peril 
except going to London, and to promise him he 
should have no hurt of his body, and to stand 
between him and the Londoners who were not 
content with him. 

The earPs device seemed good to them that 
heard it, and they said to him: "Sir, beware of 
dissimulation. This Richard of Bordeaux* must 
be taken either quick or dead, and all the other 
traitors that be about him and of his council ; and 
so be brought to London and set in the Tower. 
The Londoners will not suffer you to do the 
contrary." 

Then the earl said, * ' Sirs, fear not but all that 
is enterprised shall be accomplished. But if I can 
get him out of the castle with fair words I will 
do it. And if I cannot, I shall send you word 
thereof, and then ye shall come and lay siege to 
the castle, and then we will do so much by force 
or by assault that we will have him quick or dead, 
for the castle is well pregnable." 

* Called "of Bordeaux" because he was born while his parents were 
living at the capital of Aquitaine. 

22 



338 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

To these words the Londoners accorded. So 
the earl departed from the army and rode with 
two hundred men to the castle, where the king 
was among his men right sore dismayed. 

The earl came riding to the castle gate, which 
was fast closed. The earl knocked at the gate. 
The porters demanded who was there. 

The earl answered, u Iam Henry of Lancaster. 
I come to the king to demand mine heritage of the 
duchy of Lancaster.* Show the king this from 
me." 

"Sir," quoth they within, "we shall do it." 
At once they went into the hall and into the 
donjon where the king was and such knights about 
him as had long time counseled him. Then these 
news were showed to the king, and they said, 
"Sir, your cousin of Derby is at the gate, who 
demandeth of you to be set in possession of the 
duchy of Lancaster, his inheritance." 

The king regarded such as were about him 
and demanded what was best to do. They said, 
"Sir, in this request is no evil. Ye may let him 
come in to you with twelve persons in his com- 
pany, and hear what he will say. He is your 
cousin and a great lord of the realm. He may 
make peace for you if he will, for he is greatly 
beloved in the realm, and especially with the 
Londoners who sent for him into France. They 
are now the chief against you. Sir, ye must 
dissimulate till your brother, the earl of Hunt- 
ington, who cometh from Calais, is with you, by 

* In February, 1399, John of Gaunt had died and Richard had 
seized the Lancaster estates. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 339 

whose means we suppose ye should come to peace 
and concord.' ' 

The king agreed to these words and said, "Go 
and let him in with twelve with him and no more. ' ' 

Two knights went down to the gate, and 
opened the wicket, and issued out, and made 
reverence to the earl and received him with 
gracious words, for they knew well that they had 
no force to resist, and also they knew well the 
Londoners were sore displeased with them. 
Therefore they spoke fair and said to the earl, 
"Sir, what is your pleasure? The king hath sent 
us hither to speak with you. ' ' 

"I say," quoth the earl, "ye know well I ought 
to have possession of the duchy of Lancaster. I 
am come in part for that cause and also for other 
things that I would speak with the king of." 

1 ' Sir, ' ' quoth they, " ye be welcome. The king 
would be glad to see you and to hear you, and 
hath commanded that ye come to him only with 
twelve persons.' ' 

The earl answered, "It pleaseth me well." 
So he entered the castle with twelve persons, and 
then the gate closed again and the rest of his com- 
pany tarried without. 

Now consider what danger the earl of Derby 
was in, for the king might have slain him, and 
such as were with him, as easily as a bird in a 
cage. But he feared not the matter, but boldly 
went to the king, who changed color when he saw 
the earl. Then the earl spake aloud without mak- 
ing any great honor or reverence, and said, ' ' Sir, 
are ye fasting?" 



340 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

The king answered and said, "Yea, why ask 
you?" 

"It is time," quoth the earl, "that ye had 
dined, for ye have a great journey to ride " 

"Why, whither should I ride?" quoth the 
king. 

"Ye must ride to London," quoth the earl, 
"wherefore I counsel you eat and drink that ye 
may ride with the more mirth." 

Then the king, who was sore troubled in his 
mind and in a manner afraid of these words, said, 
* ' I am not hungry. I have no lust to eat. ' ' 

Then such as were by were glad to flatter the 
earl of Derby, for they saw well the matter was 
like to go diversely, and they said to the king, 
1 l Sir, believe your cousin of Lancaster, for he will 
nothing but good." 

Then the king said, "Well, I am content. 
Cover the tables." 

Then the king washed and sat down and was 
served. The earl was demanded if he would sit 
down. He said no, for he was not fasting 

In the mean season the king while he sat at 
dinner did eat little ; his heart was so full that he 
had no lust to eat. For all the country about the 
castle was full of men of war. They within 
the castle might see them out of the windows, and 
the king when he arose from the table might see 
them himself. Then he demanded of his cousin 
what men they were that appeared so many in the 
fields. 

The earl answered and said, "The most part 
of them are Londoners." 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 341 

"What would they have?" quoth the king. 

"They will have you," quoth the earl, "and 
bring you to London and put you into the Tower. 
There is none other remedy; ye can escape none 
otherwise." 

"No?" quoth the king, and he was sore afraid 
of those words, for he knew well the Londoners 
loved him not, and said, "Cousin, can you not 
provide for my surety? I will not gladly put me 
into their hands, for I know well they hate me 
and have done long, though I be their king." 

Then the earl said, "Sir, I see none other 
remedy, but to yield yourself as my prisoner. 
And when they know that ye be my prisoner they 
will do you no hurt. But ye must set in order 
you and your company to ride to London with me 
and be as my prisoner in the Tower of London." 

The king, who saw himself in a hard case, was 
in his spirit sore dismayed, as one who feared the 
Londoners would slay him. 

Then he yielded himself prisoner to the earl 
of Derby, and bound himself and promised to do 
all that he would have him do. In like wise all 
his knights, squires and officers yielded to the 
earl to escape the danger and peril they were in. 
And the earl received them as his prisoners and 
at once ordered horses to be saddled and brought 
forth into the court and the gates opened. 

Then when many men of arms and archers 
entered the castle, the earl of Derby caused a 
cry to be made that no man be so hardy to take 
away anything within the castle nor to lay hands 
upon any person, for all were under the earl's 



342 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

safeguard and protection. And this cry was kept 
— no man durst break it. The earl had the king 
down in the court talking with him, and he caused 
all the king's household and estate to go forward, 
as of custom they had done before, without chang- 
ing or minishing of anything. 

While everything was a-preparing, the king 
and the earl communed together in the court and 
were well regarded by the Londoners. And king 
Eichard had a greyhound called Math who always 
waited upon the king and would know no man 
else; for whensoever the king did ride he that 
kept the greyhound did let him loose and he would 
straight run to the king and fawn upon him and 
leap with his forefeet upon the king's shoulders. 

And as the king and the earl of Derby talked 
together in the court, the greyhound, who was 
wont to leap upon the king, left the king and 
came to the earl of Derby, duke of Lancaster, and 
made to him the same friendly countenance 
and cheer as he was wont to do to the king. The 
duke, who knew not the greyhound, demanded 
of the king what the greyhound would do. 
"Cousin," quoth the king, "it is a great good 
token to you and an evil sign to me." 

1 ' Sir, how know you that 1 ' ' quoth the duke. 

"I know it well," quoth the king, "the grey- 
hound maketh you cheer this day as king of Eng- 
land, as ye shall be, and I shall be deposed. The 
greyhound hath this knowledge naturally; there- 
fore take him to you; he will follow you and 
forsake me." 

The duke understood well those words and 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 343 

cherished the greyhound, who would never after 
follow king Richard, but followed the duke of 
Lancaster. 

So every man leapt a-horseback and departed 
from the castle of Flint and entered into the fields. 
And duke Henry of Lancaster, who was no more 
called earl of Derby but duke of Lancaster, rode 
by the king and they oftentimes talked together, 
the men of war before and behind in great num- 
ber, and all such as were of the king's court rode 
together in a company. 

The duke led king Richard by no castles or 
good towns for fear of stirring the people, but 
always kept the fields. 

Then the duke gave license to a great number 
of his people to depart, and said, "Sirs, ye may 
depart for we have that we desire. The king 
cannot fly or escape us. We and our company 
shall bring him to London and put him in safe- 
guard in the Tower. He and all his are my 
prisoners. I may bring them whither I will. 
Therefore, sirs, go your ways home till ye hear 
other news." They did as the duke commanded 
them, and most part of the Londoners returned to 
London, and others to their own places. 

The duke of Lancaster departed from Wind- 
sor and took the way by Staines and so came to 
dinner to Chertsey. The king had desired the 
duke that he should not bring him London way 
nor through the city, and therefore they took that 
way. From Chertsey they rode to Sheen and 
from thence in the night time they conveyed the 



344 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

king, and such other knights and squires as the 
king would, to the Tower of London. 

The next morning when the Londoners knew 
the king was in the Tower they were greatly 
rejoiced. But there was great murmuring among 
them because the king was conveyed thither so 
secretly. They were angry that the duke had not 
brought him through London openly, not to have 
done him honor but shame, they hated him so 
sore. Behold the opinion of common people 
when they be up against their prince or lord, and 
specially in England. 

When the duke of Lancaster had set his 
cousin, king Richard, and certain of his councilors 
in the Tower of London, and had set sure keeping 
on them, he took advice what should be done with 
the king. Then it was thought that king Richard 
should be put from all the royalty and joy he had 
lived in, for he had been king twenty-two years. 
And it was determined to keep him in prison. 

Then the duke of Lancaster and his council 
regarded what case the realm stood in, and did 
put all the king's deeds in writing to the number 
of twenty-eight. They then went to the Tower of 
London and entered into the chamber where king 
Richard was, and without making any reverence 
to him openly read all the said articles. To them 
the king made no answer, for he saw well all was 
true that was laid to his charge, saving he said, 
"All that I have done passed by my council.' ' 

Then he was demanded who they were that 
had given counsel, and by whom he was most 
ruled. He named them, trusting thereby to 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 345 

deliver himself in accusing them, as he had done 
beforetime, and trusting thereby to escape and 
bring them in the danger and pain. But that was 
not in the mind of them that loved him not. 

At last the duke of Lancaster departed and 
went to his lodging and suffered the mayor and 
the men of law to proceed. They went to the 
Guildhall, where all the matters of the city were 
determined, and there also many people assem- 
bled. When they saw the governors of the city 
go thither, they thought some justice should be 
done, as there was indeed : I shall show you how. 

The articles that were read before the king 
in the Tower were read again there openly; and 
it was showed by him that read them how the 
king himself denied none of them, but confessed 
that he did thus by the counsel of four knights — 
how by their counsel he had put to death the duke 
of Gloucester, the earl of Arundel, sir Thomas 
Corbet, and others — and how they had long in- 
cited him to deeds which were not to be forgiven, 
but demanded punishment. For by them and 
their counsel justice and right were closed up 
through all the courts of England, whereby many 
evil deeds followed. And companies and routs 
of thieves and murderers rose and assembled 
together in divers parts of the realm and robbed 
merchants by the ways and poor men in their 
houses, by which means the realm was in great 
peril to be lost without recovery. 

These words thus showed to the people, made 
many dismayed, and they began to murmur, and 
said, " These causes demand punishment, that all 



346 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

others may take example thereby. And Bichard 
of Bordeaux should be deposed, for he is not 
worthy to bear a crown, but ought to be deprived 
of all honor and kept all his life in prison on 
bread and water.' ■ 

And still others said, "Sir mayor of London, 
and ye others that have justice in your hands to 
minister, execute justice. We will that ye spare 
no man, for ye see well the case that ye have 
showed us demandeth justice at once; for they 
are judges upon their own deeds." 

Then the mayor and other governors of the 
law went together into the chamber of judgment. 
And there four knights were judged to die, and 
were judged to be led to the foot of the Tower, 
where king Eichard was, that he might see them 
drawn along the dike with horses, one after 
another, through the city into Cheapside, and 
then their heads stricken off there and set upon 
London bridge, and their bodies drawn to the 
gibbet and there hanged. 

When the judgment was given the four, whose 
names were sir Bernard Brocas, sir Magelars, 
master John Derby, receiver of London, and mas- 
ter Sely, the king's steward, were delivered to 
execution to the mayor of London and such as 
were deputed and went from the Guildhall to the 
Tower. Each of them was tied to two horses in 
the presence of them that were in the Tower, and 
the king might well see it out at the windows, 
wherewith he was sore discomforted, for all 
others that were with the king looked to be in the 
same case; they knew them of London so cruel. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 347 

Thus these tour knights were drawn one after 
another along through the city till they came into 
Cheapside, and there on a fisher's stall their heads 
were stricken off and set upon London Bridge, 
and their bodies drawn by the shoulders to the 
gibbet and there hanged up. This justice thus 
done, every man went to his lodgings. 

King Eichard, knowing himself taken and in 
danger from the Londoners, was in great sorrow 
of heart, and reckoned his puissance nothing; for 
he saw how every man was against him, and if 
there were any who owed him any favor, it lay 
not in their powers to give him aid and they durst 
not show it. Such as were with the king said: 
"Sir, we have small trust in our lives; for when 
your cousin of Lancaster came to the castle of 
Flint, and with your own good will ye yielded you 
to him, he promised that you and twelve of yours 
should be his prisoners and have no hurt. And 
now of those twelve four are executed shamefully 
and we are like to pass the same way. These 
Londoners have caused the duke of Lancaster, 
your cousin, to do this deed, and have him so sore 
bound to them that he must do as they will have 
him. God doth much for us if he suffers that we 
die our natural death and not a shameful death. 
It is great pity to think on this." 

With these words king Richard began tenderly 
to weep and wring his hands, and he cursed the 
hour that ever he was born rather than to have 
such an end. Such as were about him had great 
pity, and recomforted him as well as they might. 
One of his knights said, "Sir, it behooveth you to 



348 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

take comfort. We see well, and so do you, that 
this world is nothing. The fortunes thereof are 
marvelous and sometimes turn as well upon kings 
and princes as upon poor men. If ye might 
escape this mischief by dissimulation, and save 
your life and ours, it were a good enterprise. 
Peradventure within a year or two there would 
be had some recovery.' ' 

"Why," quoth the king, "what would ye that 
I should do? There is nothing but I would be 
glad to do it to save us thereby." 

"Sir," quoth the knight, "we see for truth 
that these Londoners will crown your cousin of 
Lancaster as king, and for that intent they sent 
for him, and so have aided him and do. It is not 
possible for you to live without ye consent that 
he be crowned king. Wherefore, sir, we counsel 
you, to the intent to save your life and ours, that 
when your cousin of Lancaster cometh to you to 
demand anything, then with sweet and treatable 
words say to him how ye will resign to him the 
crown of England and all the right that ye have 
in the realm clearly and purely into his hands, 
and how ye will that he be king. Thereby ye 
shall greatly appease him and the Londoners also. 
And desire him earnestly to suffer you to live and 
us also with you, or else every man apart as it 
shall please him; or else to banish us out of the 
realm forever: for he that loseth his life loseth 
all." 

King Eichard heard these words well and 
fixed them surely in his heart, and said he would 
do as they counseled him, as he that saw himself 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 349 

in great danger. And then he said to those that 
kept him, how he would gladly speak with his 
cousin of Lancaster. 

When it was showed the duke of Lancaster 
how Eichard of Bordeaux desired to speak with 
him, the duke in an evening took a barge and 
went to the Tower by water. The king received 
him courteously and humbled himself greatly as 
one who saw himself in great danger, and said, 
"Cousin of Lancaster, I regard and consider mine 
estate, which is now but small, I thank God 
thereof. As any more to reign or to govern peo- 
ple or to bear a crown, I think it not ; and as God 
help me, I would I were dead by a natural death. 
Cousin, all things considered, I know well I have 
greatly trespassed against you and against other 
noblemen of my blood. By divers things I per- 
ceive I shall never have pardon, nor come to 
peace. Wherefore with mine own free and 
liberal will I resign to you the heritage of the 
crown of England, and I require you to take the 
gift thereof with the resignation." 

When the duke heard that he said, "Sir, it is 
convenient that part of the three estates of the 
realm be called to these words, and I have sent 
already for some noblemen, prelates and coun- 
cilors of the towns of England, and I trust they 
will be here within this three days, sufficient of 
them for you to make a due resignation before 
them, and by this means ye shall greatly appease 
many men within the realm. For to withstand 
such enormities and evils as have been in the 
realm for failure of justice, who had no place to 



350 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

reign, I was sent for from beyond the sea. And 
the people would crown me, for the renown run- 
neth through England that I have more right to 
the crown than ye have. For when our grand- 
father, king Edward III, did choose and make you 
king, my greater right was shown him. But he 
so loved his son, the prince, that none could break 
his purpose but that you should be king. And if 
ye had followed the steps of your father, the 
prince, and had believed his counsel as a good 
son ought to do, ye might still have been king 
and continued your estate. But ye have done the 
contrary. And because mine uncle of Gloucester 
and the earl of Arundel did counsel you truly and 
faithfully to keep the honor of the realm, and to 
follow the steps of your ancestors, ye traitorously 
caused them to die. As for me, I have taken on 
me to defend your life as long as I may for pity, 
and I shall pray the Londoners, and the heritors 
of them that ye have slain and banished, to do the 
same." 

"Cousin, I thank you," quoth the king, "I 
trust more in you than in any other." 

"It is but right that ye so should do," an- 
swered the duke, "for if I had not been, ye had 
been taken by the people and deposed with great 
confusion and slain by reason of your evil works." 

King Richard heard well all the duke's words 
and wist not what to say against them. For he 
saw well that force and arguments could not avail 
him, but rather meekness and humility. Where- 
fore he humbled himself, and prayed the duke to 
save his life. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 351 

When the duke of Lancaster had been at the 
Tower two honrs with king Kichard, and had 
showed him part of his faults, then he returned. 
And the next day he sent forth more command- 
ments into all parts of the realm to cause noble- 
men and others to come to London. Thither came 
great numbers; and the duke of Lancaster made 
them good cheer. And on a day the duke of Lan- 
caster, accompanied with lords, dukes, prelates, 
earls, barons and knights, and of the notablest 
men of London and of other good towns, rode to 
the Tower and there alighted. 

Then king Eichard was brought into the hall, 
appareled like a king in his robes of estate, his 
scepter in his hand and his crown on his head. 
And he stood up alone, not held nor stayed by 
any man, and said aloud, "I have been king of 
England, duke of Aquitaine and lord of Ireland 
about twenty-two years, which seignory, royalty, 
scepter, crown and heritage I clearly resign here 
to my cousin Henry of Lancaster. And I desire 
him here in this open presence, in entering of this 
same possession to take this scepter. ,, And so 
he delivered the scepter to the duke, who took it. 

Then king Eichard took the crown from his 
head with both his hands, and set it before him 
and said, * ' Fair cousin, Henry, duke of Lancaster, 
I give and deliver you this crown wherewith I was 
crowned king of England, and therewith all the 
right thereto depending. ,, The duke of Lancas- 
ter took the crown, and the archbishop of Can- 
terbury took it out of the duke's hands. 

This resignation thus done, the duke of Lan- 



352 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

caster called a notary and demanded to have 
letters and witness of all the prelates and lords 
there present. Then Richard of Bordeaux re- 
turned again into the chamber from whence he 
came. The duke of Lancaster and all others 
leapt on their horses, and the crown and scepter 
were put in a coffer and conveyed to the abbey 
of Westminster and there kept in the treasury. 
And every man went to their lodgings and abode 
till the day of parliament and council should be 
at the palace of Westminster. These things hap- 
pened in the year one thousand, three hundred, 
fourscore and nineteen. 



If was not long after that true tidings ran 
through London how Richard of Bordeaux was 
dead. How he died and by what means I could 
not tell when I wrote this chronicle. But this 
king Richard dead was laid on a litter set on a 
carriage covered with fine black cloth. And four 
horses all black drew the carriage, two men in 
black leading, and four knights all in black fol- 
lowing. Thus the carriage departed from the 
Tower of London and was brought along through 
London fair and softly to Cheapside, where the 
chief assembly of London was, and there rested 
the space of two hours. 

Thither came in and out more than twenty 
thousand persons, men and women, to see king 
Richard where he lay, his head on a black cushion 
and his visage open. Some had on him pity, and 
some none but said he had long deserved death. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 353 

Now consider well, ye great lords, kings, dukes, 
earls, barons and prelates and all men of great 
lineage and puissance. See and behold how the 
fortunes of this world are marvelous and turn 
diversely. This king Richard reigned king of 
England twenty years in great prosperity, hold- 
ing great estate and seignory. There was never 
before any king of England that spent so much 
in his house as he did, by a hundred thousand 
florins every year. For I, John Froissart, knew 
it well, for I was at his court more than a quarter 
of a year together, and he made me good cheer 
because that in my youth I was clerk to the noble 
king Edward the third, his grandfather, and with 
my lady Philippa of Hainault, queen of England, 
his grandam. And when I departed from him it 
was at Windsor, and at my departing the king 
sent me by a knight of his, called sir John Golofre, 
a goblet of silver and gilt weighing two marks of 
silver, and within it a hundred nobles, by the 
which I am yet the better and shall be as long as 
I live. Wherefore I am bound to pray to God for 
his soul and with much sorrow I write of his 
death. 

In my time I have seen two things; though 
they differ, yet they be true. I was in the city 
of Bordeaux and sitting at the table when king 
Richard was born, the which was on a Tuesday 
about ten of the clock.* The same time there came 
where I was sir Richard Pontchardon, marshal 



* The 13th of April, 1366. His mother was Joan of Kent, "The Pair 
Maid of Kent." His father, Edward the Black Prince, had his court at 
Bordeaux. The town was then capital of a sovereign state, Aquitaine, 
according to the treaty of Bretigny, 1360. 

23 



354 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

as then of Aquitaine, and he said to me, ' ' Frois- 
sart, write and put in memory that my lady 
princess hath a fair son on this day, he is son of 
a king and shall be a king. ' ' 

This same gentle knight said truth, for he 
was king of England twenty-two years. But 
when this knight said these words he knew full 
little what should be his conclusion. And the 
same time that king Eichard was born, his father 
was king of Galicia, for king don Pedro had given 
him that kingdom and he went to conquer it. 

Upon these things I have greatly imagined 
since. For the first year that I came into Eng- 
land into the service of queen Philippa, king 
Edward and the queen and all their children were 
then at Berkhamstead, a manor of the prince of 
Wales beyond London. 

The king and the queen were come thither to 
take leave of their son the prince and the princess 
who were going into Aquitaine. And there I 
heard an ancient knight devise among the ladies 
and say, ' ' There is a book which is called le Brut 
and it deviseth that the prince of Wales, eldest 
son to the king, shall never be king of England, 
but the realm and crown shall return to the house 
of Lancaster." 

There I, John Froissart, author of this chron- 
icle, considering all these things, I say these two 
knights, sir Richard Pontchardon and sir Bar- 
tholomew of Burgherst, said both truth. For I 
saw, and so did all the world, Richard of Bor- 
deaux king of England, and afterward the crown 
returned to the house of Lancaster, and that was 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 355 

when king Henry was made king, — which wonld 
never have been if Eichard of Bordeaux had 
dealt amiably with him. For the Londoners made 
him king because they had pity on him and on 
his children. 

Thus when the dead king Richard had lain 
two hours in the carriage at Cheapside, then they 
drove forward. And when the four knights that 
followed afoot were without London, they leapt 
on horses which were ready for them and so they 
rode till they came to a village called Langley, 
thirty miles from London, and there this king 
Richard was buried. God have mercy on his 
soul! 



What befell Two Princes in 
London Tower 

This tale is from the chronicle of Edward Hall, who certainly 
had a most attractive way of telling his stories. Later writers 
have cast some doubt upon what Master Hall calls "the dolorous 
end of these two babes" — whether, that is, the facts here 
given were really true. Perhaps they were not. But the old 
chronicler here rehearses them with touching elevation and feeling 
for the right order of life — ' ' not after every way that I have 
heard, but after that way that I have heard — by such men and 
means — that methinketh it to be hard but it should be true. ' ' 

The dates of the tale are these: Upon the death of Edward 
IV in April, 1483, Richard, duke of Gloucester, seized his nephew, 
Edward's son, also named Edward, assumed the title of Protector, 
and formed plans for securing the crown to himself. Later he 
also got possession of Eichard, younger son of Edward IV, and 
in June assumed more royal state. In July he set aside the 
Protectorship and caused himself to be crowned king. Shortly 
after, the rumor became current that the two children, Edward 
and Richard, were dead. 

WHAT BEFELL TWO PRINCES IN LONDON 
TOWER 

NOW after the triumphant coronation of 
king Richard III, there fell michiefs thick 
and thick; and as the thing evil-gotten is 
never well kept, so through all the time of his 
usurped reign, never ceased there cruel murder, 
death and slaughter, till his own destruction 
ended it. But as he finished with the best death 
and most righteous, that is to say his own, so 
began he with the most piteous and wicked, I 
mean the lamentable murder of his innocent 
nephews, the young king and his tender brother. 

356 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 357 

The death and final fortune of the younger 
brother hath so far come in question that some 
remained long in doubt whether the two were 
destroyed or no. Perkin Warbeck, by many 
folk's malice and more folk's folly so long space 
abusing the world, and as well with princes as 
with poor people, was reputed and taken for the 
younger of these two. But for all things were so 
covertly demeaned, one thing pretended and 
another meant, there was nothing so plainly and 
openly proved as the murder. 

For this present matter I shall rehearse to 
you the dolorous end of these two babes, not after 
every way that I have heard, but after that way 
that I have heard — by such men and such means 
— as methinketh it to be hard but it should be 
true. 

King Richard after his coronation taking his 
way to Gloucester to visit in his new honor the 
town of which he of old bore the name, devised 
as he rode to fulfil that thing which he before had 
intended. And forasmuch as his mind persuaded 
him that while his nephews were living, men would 
not reckon he could have right to the realm, he 
thought therefore without delay to rid himself 
of them; as though the killing of his kinsmen 
might end his cause and make him kindly king. 

Whereupon he sent John Green, whom he 
specially trusted, unto sir Robert Brakenbury, 
constable of the Tower, with a letter and credence 
also, that the same sir Robert in any wise should 
put the two children to death. This John Green 
did his errand to Brakenbury, who plainly an- 



358 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

swered that he would never put them to death to 
die therefor. With which answer Green returned, 
recounting the same to king Eichard, yet on his 
journey at Warwick. Wherewith Eichard took 
such displeasure and thought that the same night 
he said to a secret page of his, "Ah, whom shall a 
man trust ! They that I have brought up myself, 
they that I would have most surely serve me, 
even these fail me, and at my commandment will 
do nothing for me." 

' i Sir, ' ' quoth the page, ' l there lieth one in the 
pallet chamber without that I dare well say to do 
your grace pleasure the thing were right hard 
that he would refuse' ' — meaning by this James 
Tyrell, who was a man of. goodly personage and 
for the gifts of nature worthy to have served a 
much better prince, if he had well served God and 
by grace obtained to have as much truth and good 
will as he had strength and wit. This man had a 
high heart and sore longed upward, not rising yet 
so fast as he had hoped. He was hindered and 
kept under by sir Eichard Eatcliife and sir 
William Catesby, who longing for no more part- 
ners of the prince's favor — namely not for him 
whose pride they knew would bear no peer — kept 
him by secret drifts out of all secret trust : which 
thing this page had well marked and known. 

And since this occasion offered of very special 
friendship, the page spied his time to set Tyrell 
forward and such wise to do him good that all the 
enemies he ever had (except the devil) could never 
have done him so much hurt and shame. For 
upon the page's words, king Eichard arose and 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 359 

came into the pallet chamber where he did find 
in bed the said James Tyrell and sir Thomas 
Tyrell, of person like and brethren of blood, but 
nothing of kin in conditions. 

Then said the king to them, "What, sirs, be 
you in bed so soon?" and called up James Tyrell, 
and broke to him secretly his mind in this mis- 
chievous matter, in which he found him nothing 
strange. Therefore on the morrow he sent him 
to Brakenbury with a letter, by which the con- 
stable was commanded to deliver to the said 
James all the keys of the Tower for a night, to 
the end that he might there accomplish the king's 
pleasure in such things as he there had given him 
in command. 

After this letter was delivered and keys re- 
ceived, James appointed the next night ensuing 
to destroy the children, devising before and pre- 
paring the means. 

As soon as Eichard took upon him to be king 
and left the name of " protector/ ' the young 
prince was advertised thereof and showed that 
he should not reign, but that his uncle should 
have the crown. At this word the prince sore 
abashed began to sigh, and said, "Alas, I would 
mine uncle would let me have my life although I 
lost my kingdom.' ' 

Then he that told him the tale put him in the 
best comfort that he could. But forthwith the 
prince and his brother were both shut up, and all 
others set to serve them removed from them, one 
called Black Will, or William Slaughter only 
excepted. After which time the prince never tied 



360 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

his points,* nor wrought anything of himself, but 
with that young babe, his brother, lingered in 
thought and heaviness till the traitorous deed 
delivered them of their wretchedness. 

For James Tyrell devised that they should be 
murdered in their beds, and no blood shed, to the 
execution whereof he appointed Myles Forest, 
one of the four that had kept the children, a fel- 
low flesh-bred in murder beforetime. And to him 
he joined one, John Dighton, his own horsekeeper, 
a big, broad, square and strong knave. 

Then all the others being removed from them, 
this Myles Forest and John Dighton about mid- 
night, the guileless children lying in their beds, 
came into the chamber and suddenly lapped them 
up amongst the clothes, and so bewrapped and 
entangled them, keeping down by force the feather 
bed and pillows hard upon their mouths, that 
within a while they smothered and stifled them. 
The children's breath failing, they gave up to 
God their innocent souls and into the joys of 
heaven, leaving to the tormentors their bodies 
dead in bed. 

After the wretches perceived first by their 
struggling with the pangs of death, and after 
their long lying still, the children to be thoroughly 
dead, they laid the bodies out upon the bed and 
fetched James Tyrell to see them. When he saw 
them perfectly dead he caused the murderers to 
bury them at the stair foot, meetly deep in the 
ground under a great heap of stones. 

Then rode James Tyrell in great haste to king 

* Lacings of his dress. 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 361 

Richard and showed him all the manner of the 
murder. The king gave him great thanks, and as 
men say, there made him knight. But he allowed 
not the burial in so vile a corner, saying that he 
would have the children buried in a better place 
because they were a king's sons. Lo, the hon- 
orable courage of a king! For he would recom- 
pense a detestable murder with a solemn obsequy. 

Thereupon a priest of sir Robert Brakenbury's 
took them up and buried them secretly, but by the 
occasion of his death — which was very shortly 
after — the very truth could never be very well 
and perfectly known. For some say that king 
Richard caused the priest to take them up and 
close them in lead, and put them in a coffin full of 
holes and hooked at the ends with two hooks of 
iron, and so to cast them into a place called the 
Black Deeps at the Thames mouth, so that they 
should never rise up or be seen again. But the 
very truth was unknown by reason that the said 
priest died so shortly after and never disclosed 
the matter to any person who would utter it. 

And for a truth, when sir James Tyrell was in 
the Tower for treason committed against king 
Henry VII, both he and Dighton were examined 
together on this point and both confessed the 
murder to be done in the manner you have heard. 
But whether the bodies were removed, they both 
affirmed they never knew. 

And thus, as I have learned of them that knew 
much, and little cause had to lie, were these two 
noble princes, these innocent, tender children, 
born of royal blood and brought up in great 



362 STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 

wealth, likely long to live, to reign and rule in the 
realm, by traitorous tyranny taken and deprived 
of their estate, shut up in prison and privily slain 
and murdered by the cruel ambition of their 
unnatural uncle and his pitiless tormentors. 
Which things on every part well pondered, God 
gave this world never a more notable example, 
either in what unsurety standeth this world's 
weal, or what wretched end ensueth such pitiless 
cruelty. 

For first, to begin with the ministers: Myles 
Forest at saint Martin le Grand by piecemeal 
miserably rotted away. John Dighton lived at 
Calais long after, no less disdained and hated 
than pointed at, and there died in great misery. 
Sir James Tyrell was beheaded at the Tower hill 
for treason. And king Eichard himself was slain 
in field, hacked and hewed at his enemies ' hands, 
harried on a-horseback naked and dead, his hair 
in despite torn and tugged like a cur dog. 

And the mischiefs that he met with in less 
than three years to the mischiefs he did in three 
months are not comparable; and yet all the mean 
time spent in much trouble and pain outward, and 
much fear, dread and anguish within. For I 
have heard by credible report of such as were 
secret with his chamberers, that after this abom- 
inable deed done, he never was quiet in his mind, 
he never thought himself sure when he went 
abroad, his body privily fainted, his eyes whirled 
about, his hand was ever on his dagger, his coun- 
tenance and manner like always to strike again; 
he took evil rest at nights, lay long waking and 



STORIES FROM OLD CHRONICLES 363 

musing forwearied with care and watch, rather 
slumbered than slept, was troubled with fearful 
dreams, sometimes suddenly started up, leapt out 
of his bed and looked about the chamber. So was 
his restless heart continually tossed and tumbled 
with the tedious impression and stormy remem- 
brance of his abominable murder and execrable 
tyranny. 



